Brazilian environmentalists oppose hunting law
By Barry Healy
The Brazilian environment organisation Ecopantanal is asking for help to oppose a new hunting law in the state of Mato Grosso. The law creates private hunting parks and permits breeding of native and exotic species on rural properties for sport hunting.
Other Brazilian organisations opposing the law include the Lawyers' Guild, the Federal Biology Council and the Mato Grosso Environment and Development Forum.
They are concerned that the basic biology and dynamics of animal populations in these areas are unknown. The introduction of exotic species could affect the food network and transmit diseases.
Hunting is illegal in Brazil, but the law is difficult to police because of the huge size of the country and the lack of resources for law enforcement. The environmentalists believe that the new law will make enforcement even more difficult and contribute to an increase in indiscriminate hunting and contraband.
Messages of protest can be sent by e-mail to the state government of Mato Grosso at govmt@cepromat.com.br or the governor of Mato Grosso, Dante de Oliveira, at norma@cepromat.com.br. Please send copies to Ecopantanal at ecopanta@nutecnet.com.br.