Farmed shrimp. (Photo: Gobierno de Brasil)
Controversy over bill on shrimp farming
BRAZIL
Friday, July 24, 2015, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The Federal Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte (MPF / RN) complained against a bill that defines shrimp farming as an agro-forest-pastoral activity, stating that it will enable the development of the activity in areas that have permanent environmental protection and in the mangroves.
In the MFP’s opinion, the proposal is unconstitutional and will harm the environment and sustainability in the coastal region of Rio Grande do Norte.
Several non-governmental organizations and institutions have also expressed their opposition to the Bill No. 63/2015, such as the Commission on Environmental Law of the OAB and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).
In a note sent to Governor Robinson Faria and the General Counsel of the State, federal prosecutors Clarisier Azevedo, Victor Mariz and Victor Queiroga, and the superintendent of Ibama, Luiz Eduardo Bonilha, emphasize the unconstitutional level of the controversial bill and warn that it will cause legal uncertainty and generate demands to cancel any licenses.
That, in turn, would cause unemployment in the area and loss of public and private investments.
Therefore, Ibama and the MPF suggest the formation of an interdisciplinary working group to regulate shrimp production activity adequately and sustainably in Rio Grande do Norte.
The team would consist of technicians, producers, scientists, professional representatives, public bodies, officials, NGOs and members of the Public Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Association of Shrimp Producers (ABCC), the Association of Shrimp Producers of Rio Grande do Norte (ANCC) and the Cooperative of Marine Shrimp Producers of RN (COOPERCAM) explained in a joint statement that they would not participate in a debate sponsored by Ibama to discuss the fate of the shrimp farming industry in Rio Grande do Norte. In response to the letter of invitation to the event, officials of the three organizations explained that the new bill turning shrimp farming into agro-forest-pastoral is being misinterpreted.
"Given the many falsehoods spread by that the groups of the civil society who want to impose their ideas, any discussion will be fruitless and will be a mere intensification of ideological positions," they argued, referring to the bill that has already been passed in the Legislative Assembly.
By Analia Murias
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
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