Key Amazon protection under threat

The Amazon rainforest could face a renewed surge in deforestation as powerful farming interests in Brazil – backed by a group of politicians – push to overturn a key pillar of its protection: the Soy Moratorium

ANNUAL DEFORESTATION
(Square kilometres)

President Lula da Silva
President Jair Bolsonaro


AMAZON RAINFOREST
BRAZIL
310 miles
500km
PERU
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
BOLIVIA
VENEZUELA
SURINAME
GUYANA
FRENCH GUIANA
Tree cover loss 2001-2025

Deforestation and climate change already pushing Amazon towards potential “tipping point”, scientists warn

2012: Deforestation
reaches historic low
of 4,571 sq km

2006: Soy Moratorium, prohibits sale of soya grown on land cleared after 2008

2004: Deforestation peaks at 27,772 sq km

2021:
13,038 sq km
Increases again under Bolsonaro

2025: 5,796 sq km*

*Provisional data

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025

Sources: INPE, PRODES, BBC
Picture: Global Forest Watch
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