GREENPEACE LAUNCHES PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FOR THE REGULATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES LAW IN BRAZIL
Regulation proposal is being examined by the Civil House

17 September 1999

Brasilia -– Greenpeace today launched a public campaign to put pressure on the Minister of the Civil House, Pedro Parente, to regulate the Environmental Crimes Law. A regulation proposal was sent by the Minister of Environment to the Civil House last Monday (September 13). Through its website www.greenpeace.org.br/campanhas/crimes/index.html, any person will be able to email the Civil House, to support Brazilians in their demand for the regulation of the Law. The Greenpeace offices in the USA, UK and France have joined the virtual campaign.

As part of the campaign launch, Greenpeace joined a coalition of Brazilian environmental organisations that delivered a letter to the Minister of the Civil House, Pedro Parente, this morning in Brasilia. The environmentalists demanded the urgent regulation of the Law. Serious environmental damage, like the destruction of forests and the pollution of rivers and lakes can be punished with up to 5 years imprisonment. This law is innovative in that not only companies breaking the law are punishable but also their directors.

"The Law was approved in February 1998, but has not been regulated yet. This means that administrative sanctions such as fines cannot be applied", explains Roberto Kishinami, Greenpeace Brazil executive-director. "We demand the Civil House to enforce its role by approving the regulation proposal". The Law has been discussed for 7 years in the National Congress before Senator Marina Silva gave the final opinion, which suffered cuts in the Deputies Chamber and vetoes from the President of the Republic due to political agreements with the industry and rural sectors. "Once regulated the Law will help to protect the Amazon rainforest by empowering Ibama (the Brazilian Environmental agency), the controlling institution, in the fight against illegal logging, for instance", stated Kishinami.

Among the administrative sanctions included in the Law are the suspension of the sale, production and even destruction of illegal products; the seizure of work and activity; cancellation or restriction of governmental tax incentives; loss of the right of obtaining official finance; and the signing of contracts with the public administration. Under the Law, fines ranging from R$ 5 (USD 2.60) to R$ 50,000,000 (USD 26,000,000) can be applied depending on the seriousness of the infraction.

"While the government discusses the regulation of the Law, the situation remains the same. The Brazilian environment is being damaged, as the recent cases of illegal timber trade and the forest fires show. Nowadays there is no way to properly punish the criminals", says Kishinami.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Renato Guimares, Comms Greenpeace Brazil, +55 11 3066 1178 or +55 11 9900 7796
- Rebeca Lerer, Comms Greenpeace Amazon, +55 11 9169 7953

Internet: www.greenpeace.org.br

(1) Greenpeace Brazil's website has a section on the Environmental Crimes Law, is located at www.greenpeace.org.br/campanhas/crimes/index.html. Anyone can join the campaign for the regulation of the Environmental Crimes Law by filling out the form on the web site and emailing it to the Brazilian Civil House. The website will updated daily with new images and information on environmental crimes in Brazil.

(2) Under the new Law, what then becomes a crime?

To destroy or damage forests under a permanent preservation order or to cut the trees without official permission. Penalty: one to three years in prison and/or a fine;

To extract stone, sand, chalk or any other mineral from the forests of public domain or under a permanent preservation order. Penalty: six months to one year in prison and a fine;

Direct or indirect damage to environmental conservation units (parks, biological reservations, etc.). Penalty: five years in prison;

To badly treat, injure or mutilate wild, domestic or domesticated animals, native or exotic. Penalty: three months to one year in prison and a fine;

To practice acts of cruelty against animals, even if for scientific purposes, when alternative resources exist. Penalty: three months to one year in prison and a fine. If the animal dies, the penalty increases by 1/6 to 1/3;

To cut, buy, sell, transport or to store wood, firewood or coal, without an official license. Penalty: six months to one year in prison and a fine.