FILE - This Sept. 15, 2009 file photo shows a deforested area near Novo Progresso in Brazil’s northern state of Para. (Andre Penner, File/Associated Press)SAO PAULO — Brazil’s environment minister questioned on Friday the effectiveness of the Amazon Fund created to contain the deforestation of the vast rainforest, the latest challenge to environmentalists from climate-change sceptics within the far-right government of President Jair Bolsonaro. On Friday, Salles presented to the press the summary of a ministry audit into contracts signed by the Amazon Fund in recent years. In his presentation, the minister highlighted that 82% of the contracts were awarded without having gone through a tender. Marcio Astrini, public policy coordinator for Greenpeace Brazil, said Salles sought to “destroy the entire agenda of environmental protection” in Brazil.

Source: Washington Post May 17, 2019 22:18 UTC