Note to the Brazilian Society on MP 1150/2022 and its Impact on the
Atlantic Forest biome

The Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of the Atlantic Forest - RMA, a collective that brings together 150 affiliated associations that work for the protection of the Atlantic Forest, considering all the damage resulting from centuries of irrational and predatory exploitation of the Atlantic Forest, a process that squandered practically 90% of this rich and valuable national heritage, sees with great perplexity the
inclusion of Amendment Amendment EMP n.1 in MP 1150/2022, amending Article 14 of Law n. 11,428/2006, the Atlantic Forest Law. The said amendment was included a few minutes before the vote on MP 1150/2022 in the Chamber of Deputies.

The edition of MP 1150/2022, which seeks to extend for the sixth time the deadline for joining the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), foreseen since 2012, thus opening a new gap for that deadline
is not complied with, in itself already constitutes the object of well-founded criticism. However, the inclusion of the aforementioned Additive Amendment EMP n.1, in addition to being flagrantly illegal in inserting a completely different matter in the MP, is a real attack on one of the most threatened biomes on the planet, whose special protection law was the result of an intense process of discussion in parliament and with society.

Highly fragmented, the current reality of the Atlantic Forest requires a broad restoration effort to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and expand the benefits arising from the numerous environmental services that it provides to millions of Brazilians, such as water supply, climate regulation, slope stability , pollination, soil conservation, among many others.
At a time when the global climate crisis increases the intensity and recurrence of extreme events, reducing the protection of the Atlantic Forest implies irresponsibly increasing the vulnerability of
large portion of Brazilian society. In this context, expanding the possibilities for suppression of primary forests and forests in an advanced stage of regeneration, granting full autonomy for municipalities to authorize the suppression of secondary vegetation in a medium stage located in urban areas, and eliminating the requirement of a prior study of environmental impact for the issuance of a license of suppression of vegetation in linear developments, is to explain the absolute lack of commitment to the conservation and recovery of this national heritage, disregard for the constitutional mandate that guarantees its use under conditions that ensure the preservation of the environment, including the use of natural resources, in addition to failing to comply with international commitments assumed by Brazil.

In view of the above, the RMA calls upon all Brazilian society to mobilize in defense of the Atlantic Forest Law, seeking to sensitize the Senators of the Republic to prevent this measure from
prosper, correcting this indefensible legislative distortion, and thus help to keep the Atlantic Forest alive.

Brasilia, April 12, 2023

Authors:
Joao de Deus Medeiros – General Coordination
Adriano Wild – Institutional Coordination

Atlantic Forest Non-Governmental Organizations Network – RMA