Modification of the Brazilian Forest Code

A modification of the Brazilian Forest Code (Law project 1.876/99) has been proposed. It has passed both houses of Parliament of Brazil. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vetoed against parts of it. Environmentalists are opposed to the law, saying it leads to further destruction of the Amazon rainforest.It would have opened areas logged illegally before July 2008 for farming. Rainforest clearing results in the emission of 400 million tons of carbon dioxide. The bill softens forest protection. The Catholic Church urged Rousseff to completely veto the bill. Avaaz, a global activist group, collected 2 million signatures opposing the legislation.