Page 76 - ABIHPEC ANUARIO 2018

876 2018 YEARBOOK
ENVIRONMENT

Brazil is among the most diverse biodiversity na-
tions on the planet, accommodating from 10 to
20% of the number of species known to science
and about 30% of tropical forests. This strategic
position not only privileges the country in mat-
ters such as economy and innovation, but also
enriches it culturally.

For CT&F companies, the priority theme is
the new Genetic Heritage Law, or the Biodiver-
sity Law, whose operation is explained in a de-
tailed manner by the Guide for Accessing the
Brazilian Biodiversity, developed in 2017 by the
entity. "We were the first institution to launch a
guide, which aims to educate companies in the
industry about the use of genetic heritage with-
out issues related to distribution or fines" said
Rose Hernandes, ABIHPEC's Environment di-
rector. According to her, international entities
are already requesting the guide and using it as
a reference.

Established in 2001, the Provisional Measure
that initially spawned the law had the intention
of stopping biopiracy and stimulating research