After months of debate, Brazil has approved a new law for the authorization of new chemical pesticides in agriculture. Since 2019, the Brazilian government has already approved around 1,500 pesticides. From now on, the Ministry of Environment will no longer be responsible for the authorization process, which until now sometimes took four to eight years.
Supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro said the new procedure will lead to greater productivity, affordable food, and above all, more food security for the country. The bill was approved with 301 votes in favor and 150 parliamentarians against.
President Bolsonaro is a strong supporter of the agricultural sector and has been trying for several years to limit the influence of environmental organizations. The country is one of the world’s largest exporters of beef, chicken, soy, and coffee, but also harbors a large part of the South American rainforests.
The Brazilian Association of Soy Producers and other agricultural organizations emphasized that the approval of more chemical agents will contribute to the modernization of the sector.
Greenpeace, on the other hand, says it “endangers the health of the Brazilian people.” The bill now moves to the Senate, which Brazilian parliamentarians say is expected to pass it without changing a word of the current wording.