A poll conducted by Datafolha reveals that 94% of those interviewed would prefer that the felling of trees ceased, regardless of whether the price would be a slowdown in agricultural and ranching production. The alternative of authorizing further deforestation to increase production was chosen by only 3% of those interviewed in the poll. The survey was conducted on behalf of the NGO, Friends of the Earth - Brazilian Amazonia. Datafolha polled 2,055 persons over the age of 18 by landline telephone located throughout Brazil. There are no precedents for this type of poll to enable comparison of opinions surveyed during the first fortnight of April. There is a two percentage point margin of error.
Roberto Smeraldi, Director of Friends of the Earth - Brazilian Amazonia, said "the novelty is that Brazilians are replying regarding the rainforest and doing the math: they compare it with ranching and farm production, they understand the role of retail, and do not want to shoulder the liabilities of those breaking the law."
Changes in the Forest Code
Today, the 29th, yet another battle is to be waged in the Senate regarding changes in the limits on deforestation. Current rules that preserve 80% of properties in the Amazon biome as legal reserve were established in 2001, as a reaction to an increase in destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. Rural landowner-backed politicians, who form the largest informal group in Congress, intend to change the Forest Code before the end of this year.
The deadline is not by chance. This is the deadline for beginning enforcement of penalties for anyone who deforests beyond this legal limit, since the entering into force of the Presidential decree was postponed by the government itself and through pressure from rural landowners. Only 11% of those interviewed by the Datafolha poll advocated amnesty for farmers or ranchers who deforest beyond the legal limit. The majority -85%- chose the option of punishing violators, even if doing so would result in an increase in the price of farm products.
In another even more specific question on changing rainforest protection laws, 91% of those polled advocated enacting even stricter laws, to make deforestation even more difficult. A small percentage (5%) chose to leave the laws as they are now, and the other 4% believed the laws should be relaxed, and even that farmers acting outside the law should receive amnesty.
An amnesty proposal for illegal deforesters was put forth by the Ministry of Agriculture last year and led to a breakdown in negotiations on changing the Forest Code. Nevertheless, some changes are seen as certain. Environmental Minister Carlos Minc has already agreed in authorizing the use of exotic species to recuperate deforested areas in Amazonia. He also supports providing deadlines for those who deforested before the limits become tougher to adjust.