UNICA supports new zoning proposal for Brazilian sugarcane, with modifications

In Brazil, after a detailed analysis of the Agro-Ecological Zoning proposal put forth by the Lula Administration today, UNICA said that it had identified specific points that raise concerns and may need to be addressed prior to final approval by Brazil’s Congress. One such concern involves the challenges in defining the concept of food security in the proposal, since sugarcane is a crop that produces both food and energy. The proposed approach could lead to restrictions in growing sugarcane that would have the reverse effect in terms of food security, by restricting the production of additional sugar.

UNICA released a statement that said, “Although there are some concerns about the detailed provisions of today’s legislative proposal, UNICA is welcoming the prohibition to deforest areas such as the Amazon and the Pantanal biomes. UNICA has always maintained that there is no need to clear forests in order for sugarcane to expand, given the availability of suitable lands for sugarcane harvesting, particularly degradated pastures.”

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