BNDES lends R$ 29 million so deforesters can purchase of agricultural machinery

Five farmers fined by the environmental agency Ibama for deforestation obtained loans of R$28.6 million reais from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) to buy tractors and other agricultural machinery. The transaction was operated by John Deere, which sold the equipment, according to a report by Repórter Brasil.

In all, more than R$39.701 million were lent to 11 farmers who owe more than R$31 million in unpaid environmental fines to Ibama.

After the report was published, members of the Worker’s Party (PT) and Senator Randolfe Rodrigues, of Rede Sustentabilidade Party, filed representations with the Federal Audit Court (TCU) requesting the adoption of precautionary measures to halt financial transfers by BNDES “to people or entities convicted or investigated for environmental violations.”