Amazon in danger as Brazil moves forward with bill, critics say

SAO PAULO, Brazil — The Brazilian government is pressing forward with controversial legislation that critics say will lead to widespread destruction of the Amazon rain forest.

 

The update to the country's 1965 Forestry Code would reduce both the amount of vegetation landowners must preserve and the future penalties paid for those who currently flout environmental laws. After valuable wood is sold, much of the land in deforested areas ends up being cleared for grazing cattle and agriculture. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil-forests-20120529,0,2383595.story

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Vincent Bevins