Brazil Supreme Court Upholds Laws That Led to Downfall of Amazon Soy Moratorium

The ruling creates a significant legal setback for environmental protections in the Amazon, effectively undermining the long-standing industry agreement to prevent soy cultivation on deforested land.

BRASÍLIA — In a pivotal ruling that environmental advocates warn could accelerate destruction in the Amazon, Brazil’s Supreme Court has upheld a set of laws that critics argue led to the effective downfall of the long-standing Amazon Soy Moratorium. The court’s decision validates legislative changes that have weakened oversight mechanisms originally designed to prevent the sale of soy grown on land cleared after 2006. The moratorium, once hailed as a landmark agreement between industry, government, and environmental groups, has been instrumental in curbing deforestation by restricting mark…