Amazon's Green Shield: Soy Farmers Exploit Loophole in Deforestation Pact

Brazilian soy farmers are expanding operations deeper into the Amazon rainforest, raising alarms about the effectiveness of the Amazon Soy Moratorium, a key agreement aimed at curbing deforestation. While the Moratorium prohibits soy growth on land deforested post-2008, secondary forests remain unprotected, leading to a worrying increase in deforestation.

Recent studies show that the area of virgin forest cleared for soy cultivation has nearly tripled over five years, challenging the Moratorium's ability to curb deforestation effectively. The expansion is fueled by loopholes that exclude secondary forests from protection, allowing farmers to exploit these lands without repercussions.

Critics emphasize the environmental impact, warning that continued deforestation could accelerate the Amazon's transformation into a savannah-like ecosystem. As global demand for soy grows, experts call for enhanced measures to close loopholes and enforce comprehensive conservation efforts to protect the Amazon biome.

(With inputs from agencies.)