Brazil's environmental minister hits out at high deforestation levels in the Amazon

By Bala Chambers

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Brazil's Environment Minister Marina Silva hit out Monday at the "criminal action" of deforesters following a rise in deforestation levels in the Amazon, describing it as a "type of revenge" for the actions that are already being carried out to combat it.

Silva was questioned by reporters regarding figures from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) which said that 209 square kilometers (80.7 square miles) of the Amazon were deforested in the first two weeks of February, insisting that the authorities will continue efforts to tackle it.

She acknowledged, however, that this requires structural change.

"Things are not magic. We are clear about the complexity of the problem and we are working so that it (deforestation) is reduced structurally.

"We are still two months into the government. The deforestation prevention and control plan will be updated and re-implemented from April," said Silva.

She also noted that the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is taking "emergency action" to tackle the healthcare emergency facing the Yanomami indigenous people and deforestation in the Amazon among other issues.

Silva made the remarks after a meeting between Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.

Alckmin said the US is committed to financially backing the Amazon Fund to combat deforestation, although he mentioned no specific figure.

Silva suggested that the potential transfer of funds would also require approval by the US Congress.

On Tuesday, Silva is expected to hold a meeting with Kerry to discuss their two countries’ bilateral cooperation regarding climate change.

Lula has publicly pledged that his administration will clamp down on deforestation in the Amazon.