Production and use of fuel ethanol in Brazil - BAFF

42
almost all of the expansion (94 percent) in the Center-South region occurred in
existing units; new farming frontiers were involved to a much lesser extent. In
São Paulo, the expansion has been based on the replacement of other crops and
pastures. Today as well as over the next few years, the expansion will continue to
take place in the Center-South region, with an emphasis on the West of São Paulo,
in the regions near the state line of Mato Grosso, and some areas in the State of
Goiás; and mostly in areas of degraded pastures or fields. In the past, those areas
occupied part (over the years, since the discovery of Brazil and, most certainly,
much earlier than the introduction of PROÁLCOOL) of the Atlantic Forest and
Savannahs.
No expansion to any forest areas or protected biomes is considered, especially
because the legislation in force would not allow that to happen.
B. Sugar-cane and ethanol production: environmental aspects