MST Communities in Brazil occupy Suzano Papel e Celulose’s Eucalyptus Plantations
On February 27, 2023 more than fifteen hundred members of the Brazilian Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) occupied three areas owned by Brazilian paper and pulp company Suzano, in the state of Bahía, Brazil. Through this act of resistance, members of the MST are denouncing the impacts of existing and planned industrial eucalyptus plantations across the region.
For decades, Suzano’s eucalyptus plantations have caused unprecedented environmental damage – destroying native forests as well as depleting and poisoning water sources, soils, rivers and nearby communities. Today Suzano continues to rapidly expand its plantations across the region – displacing more communities, destroying more forests and causing further environmental damage through the aerial spraying of toxic agrochemicals which gravely harms human health and that of surrounding ecosystems. The MST members have no plans to withdraw from the areas until environmental and social justice demands are met.
Under former President Bolsonaro, Suzano received permission to develop genetically engineered tree plantations that would cause additional damages to people and ecosystems.
For the Earth Minute and Sojourner Truth show, this is Steve from Global Justice Ecology Project.
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