Brazilian Cerrado is left out of EU regulations

Folha de S.Paulo

Brazilian Cerrado is left out of EU regulations

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The European Union approved, this Tuesday morning (6), a new regulation to combat the importation of products that contribute to deforestation. It was established that the European market will reject the entry of a series of commodities such as meat and soy from areas that have been deforested, even with legal permission, after December 31, 2020. The measure was celebrated by environmentalists, but it should have a special impact on Brazil since Europe is the second-largest consumer of Brazilian commodities. And, even though the regulation offers protection to the Amazon, the Atlantic rainforest, and the Chaco, environmentalists criticized the exclusion of the cerrado from the agreement. The second largest biome in Brazil, the Cerrado grew by 8% in the area deforested in 2021. The exclusion from the new European rules could further encourage the loss of forest coverage. "Once again the cerrado is placed as a biome to be sacrificed. The Europeans gave an important signal to the world but missed the opportunity to make an effective law. The cerrado is the main source of deforestation imported by Europe today. For us, it increases the risk of a water and energy supply crisis, and the increase in violence in the countryside", says Guilherme Eidt, advisor to ISPN (Society, Population and Nature Institute).