Update: Amazon land settlements suspended

There have been further developments in the Amazon. As we reported last week, Greenpeace Brazil published its investigation into deals between a Brazilian government agency and logging companies over areas of rainforest under the guise of a land settlement programme.

Originally the government denied our allegations, but yesterday a federal judge ruled that our evidence was compelling enough to suspend all 99 of the disputed settlements. These were created without proper environmental licences, and some of the locations were selected by logging companies so they could access high-value timber.

The judge also ruled that the agency responsible, the National Institute of Colonisation and Land Reform (Incra), was operating improperly and without regard for environmental laws. Now, no further settlements will be allowed without the approval of the Brazil's federal environmental agency.

If Incra appeals the ruling, it will likely end up in years of legal wrangling, but never the less this is a positive development. As Amazon campaigner André Muggiati pointed out in a statement: "We fervently hope Incra will use this opportunity to put their house in order, and carry out a serious investigation. Either way, we will keep a close watch."