Kataguiri contravenes agreement with NGOs and presents text with serious reversals to environmental licensing

A congressman has disregarded commitments signed with civil society during the working group on the draft of the general licensing bill. Voting on the text to go to plenary

Congressman Kim Kataguiri debating environmental licensing during the working group in the Chamber of Deputies (Photo: Michel Jesus / Chamber of Deputies)

Congressman Kim Kataguiri (DEM-SP), the rapporteur of the draft of the general licensing bill (3.729/2004), has ignored an agreement made with civil society and proposed a new text with serious reversals in environmental licensing. On Thursday 8 August, following a number of meetings and public hearings to discuss the subject, the congressman presented a substitute text that makes licensing the exception rather than the rule.

One of the most controversial measures proposed concedes permission to each state and municipality to waive licensing activities as well as exempting impact construction work on the grounds of ‘improvement’ and ‘modernisation’ of transportation infrastructure of these very activities.

The project compromises socioenvironmental aspects and the judicial security of building work that will potentially affect society and cause serious damage. “He has put balance and consensus to one side and made way for secret arrangements, in detriment to the population.” According to a joint letter, signed by approximately 90 organisations.

A date has not yet been set for the text that is being treated as urgent and will be voted on in the Chamber of Deputies plenary in the coming weeks. If it is passed, the draft bill will be put before the Senate.

Read here the full letter.