Brazilian forest code: Advances and setbacks

Abstract

In a scenario of expansion of agricultural frontiers, based on the production of grain and other commodities, Brazil today lives in a privileged position when it comes to the production and productivity of various agricultural crops and livestock. However we can see that developments in the legislative system often do not keep pace with anthropic action, which makes the degradation of the natural environment potentially disturbing. The evolution in jurisprudence has to occur concisely and quickly based on landscape parameters, and from the perspective of the technique, with a holistic behavior focused on the actions of preservation and conservation of natural resources. Forests are indispensable systems in the process of 'water generation', contributing significantly to the dynamics of the hydrological cycle, a complex and fundamental mechanism for the maintenance and regulation of life on earth. In this sense, the objective of this article is to explain some environmental, technical and legislative aspects related to the Forest Codes that were in force in Brazil, analyzing its historical relevance, flaws and finally major changes. Its preparation was based on articles, books and materials available online from the available knowledge bases. A broad revision was carried out including the Magna Carta in addition to the laws that deal with the Brazilian Forest Code, in its three versions of 1934, 1965 and 2012. As articulated considerations it can be verified that despite the evolution in the form of proposition of the current law, some modifications still need to be made, considering that the current Forest Code contains residual political and economic sequelae that neglect the socio-environmental character, and that even after the adoption of its latest version, severe damage is still being caused to the natural environment, which requires greater commitment from regulators to enforce legislation