Farmers Throw Pesticides on the Amazon to Accelerate Deforestation


Repórter Brasil , Hélen Freitas in 16/11/2021
Amazon
Environment
National

As a way to facilitate the deforestation of large areas, farmers are illegally dumping large amounts of pesticides in forest areas in the Amazon. The objective is to open space for cattle pasture and soy monocultures, in addition to the timber trade.

According to a research carried out by Repórter Brasil and Agência Pública, in the last 10 years, at least 30,000 hectares were poisoned without any kind of authorization from official bodies.

According to IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), the herbicide Alachlor, classified as moderately toxic by Anvisa (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency), and the insecticide Carbosulfan, classified as highly toxic, are among the substances used in the destruction of forests. Due to the health risks they pose, spraying areas with these products is prohibited.


This content can be viewed freely