Study goals
To analyze the changes that PL-2159/2021 will bring to smallholder farmers. This paper seeks to answer the question: What impact will PL-2159/2021 have on small-scale agribusinesses?
Relevance / originality
Brazilian agribusiness plays a central role in the national economy, accounting for a significant portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), so legislative changes directly impact the activity, especially for small producers.
Methodology / approach
The research is qualitative in nature, with a legal-dogmatic approach, based on a bibliographic review and documentary analysis, including Law No. 12,651/2012 (Forest Code), Law No. 9,605/1998 (Environmental Crimes Law) and Bill No. 2159/2021.
Main results
Bill 2159/2021 represents a controversial milestone in Brazilian environmental policy. By seeking to speed up and reduce bureaucracy in environmental licensing, it sets a precedent for dangerous flexibilities, particularly by dispensing with prior studies and adopting declaratory models.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
Small rural producers, who face financial, structural, and legal limitations, may be even more vulnerable, being held responsible for failures in complex processes that require technical support.
Social / management contributions
It is suggested that public agencies offer technical support to small producers so that the legislation achieves its objective of promoting equity and sustainability and mitigating the risk of exacerbating social inequalities.