Brazil has approved a new law for the authorization of new chemical pesticides in agriculture after months of debate. The Brazilian government has already approved the authorization of about 1,500 pesticides since 2019. From now on, the Ministry of the Environment is no longer in charge of admission, which until now sometimes took four to eight years.
The new procedure will lead to greater productivity, affordable food and above all more food security for our country, supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro said. The bill passed with 301 votes, while 150 MPs opposed it.
President Bolsonaro is a strong supporter of the agricultural sector and has been trying to curb the influence of environmental organizations for several years. The country is one of the world's largest exporters of beef, chicken, soy and coffee, but is also home to much of South America's rainforests.
The Brazilian Association of Soybean Producers and other agricultural organizations emphasized that the authorization of more chemical agents will contribute to modernization of the sector.
Greenpeace, on the other hand, says it endangers "the health of the Brazilian people." The bill now goes to the Senate, which is expected to pass it without changing the current wording, Brazilian parliamentarians say.