Environment Minister Slashes Own Budget And has Military Occupy Key Posts

By Richard Mann, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Minister of the Environment, Ricardo Salles, had the annual budget for the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) cut by 24 percent.  The institution is directly linked to his portfolio.

Salles was named Minister of the Environment by President Jair Bolsonaro.

Since 2017, he is the subject of a probe by São Paulo state prosecutors for violating environmental laws.

The Minister is accused of altering the management plan for a protected area in the Tietê River with the “clear intention of benefiting economic sectors”.

By removing funds that would cover almost three months of expenses planned for 2019, IBAMA will have its budget reduced from R$368.3 million (US$92 million), as stated in the Budget Law (LOA), to R$279.4 million  (US$69 million).

With R$89.9 million less in the budget, IBAMA will suffer an impact on its environmental inspection and maintenance operations. The agency’s fixed expenses alone are estimated at R$285 million for this year.

The budget cut will also affect the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity (ICMBio), responsible for overseeing the country’s protected forest areas.

Questioned on the motivations that led to the measure, Ricardo Salles did not comment on the matter. Similarly, IBAMA issued no comments.

Military Moves in

The Chico Mendes Institute issued a letter of repudiation against Salles, who ordered the opening of a disciplinary administrative proceeding against employees of the agency in Rio Grande Sul, after demanding their presence at a meeting with ruralists.

It so happens that they were not invited to the meeting and this is why they did not attend.

The embarrassment caused by the episode led to ICMBio president’s resignation, followed by three more requests for joint dismissal from ICMBio’s directors.

From his part, Salles exonerated the director of Lagoa do Peixe Park when the crisis began, and appointed four military police officers to fill the positions on the board of directors of the Chico Mendes Institute.

Officials from the Military Police and the Armed Forces are also being nominated for the Ministry of Environment and IBAMA itself.

There are already approximately 20 positions occupied by the military at the Environment Summit.