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According to
the Associated Pres, Brazil will prohibit sugarcane-ethanol plantations in the Amazon and other ecologically sensitive areas of Latin
America''s largest nation under a plan unveiled by the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The proposal, if
approved by Congress, will ensure Brazilian ethanol made from sugarcane is
environmentally friendly and ease concerns the plantations could one day carpet
the rainforest, said Environment Minister Carlos Minc. The move would limit sugarcane plantations to 7.5 percent of Brazilian
territory. The plantations where ethanol is produced with on-site or nearby
distilleries would also be banned from food-growing areas and the vast Pantanal
wetlands bordering Bolivia. Brazil is the world''s biggest ethanol exporter, and
a huge consumer. The fuel powers most new cars sold in the South American
country. The proposed limitations would set aside 163 million acres (66 million
hectares) where sugarcane could be grown, said Agriculture Minister Reinhold
Stephanes. That''s an area slightly larger than France. Brazil has nearly 22
million acres (9 million hectares) of sugarcane planted now and expects to
devote another 15 million acres (6 million hectares) to the crop over the next
decade. The country is also the world''s largest sugar producer, with many of
its cane plantations producing both products. Congress is expected to vote on
the plan to limit the plantations next year.
