| Soybeans
have become a major cash crop in Brazil and more and more of
the Amazonian jungle is disappearing to make room for the crops.
There has already been a 40 percent increase in deforestation
due to soybeans and experts warn that further increases threaten
the Amazon ecological system.
Some government officials in Brazil are calling for a three-fold
increase in the area planted with soybeans, which would be
taken out of the jungle. Environmental groups are strongly
criticizing this increase in deforestation.
The
Age September 18, 2003
| 