Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro won Brazil’s presidency Sunday, riding on close ties to agribusiness.
Many observers believe Bolsonaro’s strong ties to agribusiness leaders in Congress, part of the powerful “ruralist caucus,” will lead to a reduction in environmental protections as farming interests win out, reports the online Daily Journal.
One example is his promise to combine the agriculture and environment ministries into one — a move environmentalists worry would result in more land being opened up to farming.
In a recent Facebook Live session, Bolsonaro said he would consider keeping them separate, though he said he is still discussing the idea with agribusiness leaders.
He has also threatened to pull out of the Paris Accord on climate change.
In many respects, his campaign resembled Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s who appealed to rural voters with a promise to scrap the Cap and Trade carbon-reduction policy, to give rural people more say in the establishment of wind and solar farms and to reduce regulations.
