Against eucalyptus monoculture, MST occupies three areas of Suzano Papel e Celulose

On February 27, 2023, Brasil de Fato posted an article describing an occupation by around 1,550 members of the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) in three areas owned by Suzano Papel e Celulose S/A in southern Bahia, Brazil. The occupation is to protest the impacts of eucalyptus monocultures.

Note: GJEP has reported on previous protests in Brazil on this topic, as seen here and here.

On February 27, 2023, over 1,5000 member of the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) occupied three areas owned by Suzano Papel e Celulose S/A in southern Bahia, Brazil. MST was protesting the impact of eucalyptus monoculture in the region. MST made the decision for an occupation to protest eucalyptus monocultures  to “denounce the neglect, the dismantling that Suzano has been causing in this region”.  The militants say they have no plans to withdraw from the areas.

Suzano, which presents itself as the largest pulp company in the world, claims that the MST’s actions violate the right to private property and is seeking judicial measures to repossess the areas.

MST militants claim that Suzano has been causing the systemic destruction of water resources for decades, poisoning soil and rivers, and harming areas cultivated by peasant families. MST also stated that  the company made a profit of R$5.44 billion in the third quarter of 2022 alone.

The MST militant also states that the movement is waiting for President Lula (PT) to fulfill “the campaign commitment of giving priority to agrarian reform and settling families that are under the black tarp.”

In a separate event, the MST occupied an unproductive farm in Jacobina, Bahia, to produce food, stating that agrarian reform has been removed from the agenda, leading to hunger and misery in the countryside.