Pequi trees will be protected against predatory use. After approval in the Federal Senate, the policy awaits presidential sanction to come into effect.
The Federal Senate approved on Tuesday (12/10) the bill (PL 1970/2019), authored by Congressman Rogério Correia (PT-MG), which creates the National Policy for the Sustainable Management of Pequi and other native fruits of the Cerrado. The proposal, which now goes to the Presidency of the Republic for sanction, represents an important step towards the conservation and sustainable use of this biome, which is essential for environmental balance and for traditional peoples and communities.
The project prohibits the felling and predatory use of pequi trees, allowing removal only in specific cases, such as dead or dry trees, or in areas designated for public utility projects, provided they are authorized by the competent authorities. Among the main objectives of the policy are:
- To encourage the preservation of areas where pequi trees and other native fruits of the Cerrado biome occur;
- Identify the traditional communities that depend on collecting these products for their livelihood;
- To value local culture through research on folklore related to the pequi fruit and the promotion of cultural events to stimulate tourism;
- To promote sustainable trade with quality and origin certifications.
Wdileia Mendes de Oliveira, a collaborator at the Pequi Nucleus, celebrates the approval of the bill precisely during the pequi harvest season. She believes the measure promises to boost the creative and circular economy of the region, strengthen food and nutritional culture, and ensure the preservation of the Cerrado biome. The Nucleus is a network of associations, cooperatives, and partner institutions present in 16 municipalities in Northern Minas Gerais.
“The Cerrado is recognized as the cradle of essential native fruits, such as the pequi, which plays a central role in the culture and survival of countless communities. The sustainable management proposed by the bill encourages the respectful harvesting of fruits – only those that fall naturally to the ground – preserving the life cycle of the trees and the fauna that depends on them. Furthermore, it promotes the revival of regional dietary habits and the generation of income for those who live from agro-extractive activities,” highlights Wdileia Mendes de Oliveira.
Socio-biodiversity economies of the Cerrado
The National Policy for the Sustainable Management of Pequi also seeks to promote the economic and environmental value of the Cerrado, expanding income-generating opportunities for traditional communities in this biome, which faces increasing pressure from deforestation and predatory exploitation. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), national pequi extraction exceeded 74 tons in 2021, with Minas Gerais being the state responsible for more than half of the production.
ISPN Communications Office / Dominik Giusti