Civil society loses seats at environmental council

A decree issued by the Minister of the Environment reduced and changed the sharing of seats at the National Council for the Environment (CONAMA), the main consultation body for the Ministry. CONAMA works specially on environmental licensing standards and pre-conditions. From 96 members, the Council was reduced to a total of 23, including the Minister, who is acting president of the Council. Civil Society lost 18 seats - from 22 to only 4; while governmental participation increased, the private sector also lost space. The way Council members are appointed was also changed by the decree. Before it was via a participative election; with the decree, it is done via a draw between candidates from each sector. Public prosecutors were excluded from the council.