South America Calling

Over 30 countries Tuesday signed a United Nations-sponsored pact to bring an end to deforestation by 2030.

But Brazil, home to the world's largest continuous rainforest, wasn't among them, rather undermining the initiative.

Environment Minister Isabella Teixeira complained to the Associated Press of not being consulted on the pact, but the real reason Brazil didn't sign is less palatable internationally.

The truth is, Brazil can't join the U.S., the E.U. and Canada in the pact because it contravenes a new law that allows limited clearance.

It's just the latest in a series of news stories that will alert environmentalists to the possibility that Brazil is becoming less vigilant on deforestation.

That perception would be generally unfair, but the possibility that Brazilian agribusiness may once again become the focus of environmentalist ire over deforestation will leave leaders wary.

It was only nine years ago that the soy industry faced the possibility of European embargoes of shipments over the issue.

GREAT STRIDES

Brazil has actually made great strides in reducing deforestation since the embargo threat was made.

Greater monitoring and law enforcement has caused Amazon clearance to fall fivefold since 2004.

Meanwhile, in 2006, a moratorium on Amazon soybeans has more or less eradicated clearance for grain use.

Then in 2012, the Forestry Code was passed, which clearly laid out farmer responsibilities in forests.

But environmentalist discomfort has been raised by news that the moratorium will end in 2015 and that deforestation jumped 29% in the 12 months through July 2013.

Now there's the news that Brazil won't sign the pact.

Teixeira highlighted that Brazil remains committed to reducing deforestation, with a target of 1,500 square miles annually by 2020, down 33% on the 12 months through July 2013.

Of course, the Brazilians are right to complain that the U.N.-led pact is meaningless. It is all well and good for the U.S. and the European Union to commit to zero deforestation now they have cleared so much. If the developed world is not about to reforest but is serious about reducing carbon emissions, then it must help the emerging economies preserve forests.

But perceptions are sometimes just as important as reality.

(AG)

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