Bolsonaro gives Brazil farm ministry powers on indigenous land, in win for farmers
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS JANUARY 2, 2019 / 5:42 AM / UPDATED 29 MINUTES AGO
Bolsonaro gives Brazil farm ministry powers on indigenous land, in win for farmers
Stefani Inouye, Anthony Boadle
5 MIN READ
SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - New Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued an executive order on Wednesday making the Agriculture Ministry responsible for deciding on lands claimed by indigenous peoples, in a victory for agribusiness that will likely enrage environmentalists.
The temporary decree, which will expire unless it is ratified within 120 days by Congress, strips power over land claim decisions from indigenous affairs agency FUNAI.
It says the Agriculture Ministry will now be responsible for identification, delimitation, demarcation and registration of lands traditionally occupied by indigenous people.
The move stoked concern among environmentalists and rights groups that the far-right new president, who took office on Tuesday, will open up the vast Amazon rainforest and other ecologically sensitive areas of Brazil to greater commercial exploitation.
The executive order also moves the Brazilian Forestry Service, which promotes the sustainable use of forests and is currently linked to the Environment Ministry, under Agriculture Ministry control.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-agriculture/bolsonaro-gives-brazil-farm-ministry-powers-on-indigenous-land-in-win-for-farmers-idUSKCN1OW0OS