Brazilian justice orders government to seize lands with proven illegal deforestation

A justice on Brazil ‘s Supreme Court on Monday ordered the federal government to seize private properties when owners are found responsible for illegal deforestation or wildfires.

The landmark ruling, which could be appealed, also directs the federal and state governments to adopt measures that block regularization, a process by which illegally-acquired land becomes legal. The expectation of regularization has been one of the main drivers of deforestation in the Amazon. Land-grabbers clear land in the hope that it will eventually be titled thanks to lax land laws or government amnesties.

In addition, authorities must seek compensation from landowners responsible for illegal and intentional destruction, according to the decision by Justice Flávio Dino.

See also about the Amazon:

• Brazil's Supreme Court will allow the country's biggest farming state to withdraw tax incentives from signatories of the so-called "Soy Moratorium," a voluntary ban by grain traders on soybean purchases from Amazon areas deforested after 2008, in a setback for the conservation movement. (Reuters)