US embassy cable - 05BRASILIA455

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 BRASILIA 000455 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PASS USAID FOR LAC/RSD, LAC/SAM, G/ENV, PPC/ENV 
TREASURY FOR USED IBRD AND IDB AND INTL/MDB 
USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE: MZWEEDE 
INTERIOR FOR DIR INT AFFAIRS: K WASHBURN 
INTERIOR FOR FWS: TOM RILEY 
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR INTERNATIONAL: J WEAVER 
JUSTICE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: JWEBB 
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL: CAM HILL-MACON 
USDA FOR ARS/INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH: G FLANLEY 
NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL: HAROLD STOLBERG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, EAGR, EAID, TBIO, ECON, SOCI, XR, BR, Science 
SUBJECT: SOUTH AMERICA ESTH NEWS, NUMBER 50 
 
1.  The following is the fiftieth in a series of 
newsletters, published by the Brasilia Regional 
Environmental Hub, covering environment, science & 
technology, and health news in South America.  The 
information below was gathered from news sources from across 
the region, and the views expressed do not necessarily 
reflect those of the hub office or our constituent posts. 
Addressees who would like to receive a user-friendly email 
version of this newsletter should contact Larissa Stoner at 
stonerla@state.gov.  The e-mail version also contains a 
calendar of upcoming ESTH events in the region. 
 
2. Table of Contents 
 
Agriculture 
--(3) Paraguay Declared Free of Foot and Mouth Disease 
 
Health 
--(4) Increasing Dengue Cases in Brazil-Bolivia Border 
--(5) Venezuela, Argentina Sign Bilateral Health Agreement 
--(6) Brazil to Build Four Clinical Research Centers 
 
Water Issues 
--(7) Paraguay: Unregulated Rice Crop Irrigation Harms 
Nature 
 
Forests 
--(8) Colombia's Promising Forestry Sector 
--(9) Argentina: Government Works to Save Forests 
--(10) Uruguay Designs Lab to Monitor Cellulose Plants 
--(11) Deforestation Paves Way in Brazil 
 
Wildlife 
--(12) Venezuela Studies Threatened Species 
--(13) Colombian Organization Launches Catalogue of Andean 
Plants 
--(14) Colombia: New Lizard Species Identified 
--(15) Paraguay Hosts Migratory Bird Event 
 
Fishing & Marine Conservation 
--(16) White Spot Syndrome Virus Identified in Southern 
Brazil 
 
Protected Areas 
--(17) Forest Fire Consumes Uruguayan National Park 
 
Science & Technology 
--(18) Brazilian Biotech Center to Receive IMF Funding 
--(19) Oil Palm Research Takes off in Colombia 
--(20) Ecuador Allocates US$582,000 for Scientific Research 
 
Pollution 
--(21) OES-Sponsored Mercury Project in the Media 
 
Energy 
--(22) Colombia- Panama Electricity Project Sparks 
Environmental Concern 
--(23) Argentina: Experimental Hydrogen Production, in 
Patagonia 
--(24) Brazil to Resume Works in Nuclear Plant 
--(25) Colombia, Brazil Study Transborder Hydroelectric 
Project 
--(26) Brazil: Controversial Hydroelectric Project Follows 
Through 
 
General 
--(27) OAS and ACTO Sign Cooperation Agreement 
--(28) Chile: Mining Project Stirs Environmental Complaints 
 
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Agriculture 
----------- 
 
3. Paraguay Declared Free of Foot and Mouth Disease 
 
JAN. 20, 2005 - The World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE) has acknowledged Paraguay as being free of foot and 
mouth disease (FAM).  Paraguay had suspended export permits 
for at least 222 tons of beef since the disease was detected 
in Canindeyu in October 2002. 
 
Source - Diario ABC 
http://www.abc.com.py/articulos.php?fec=2005- 01- 
20&pid=156400&sec=5 and Diario Ultima Hora 
http://www.ultimahora.com.py/template.asp?not ic=174581 
 
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Health 
------ 
 
4. Increasing Dengue Cases in Brazil-Bolivia Border 
 
JAN. 22, 2005 - According to the press report, despite 
efforts to control the disease, the number of dengue cases 
in the Brazilian state of Acre have increased, mostly due to 
lack of disease control in their Bolivian neighbor.  An 
estimated 5,395 new cases of the disease were registered in 
the state in 2004, whereas in 2003 there were 1,514 cases - 
a 256% increase!   The towns of Brasileia and Epitaciolandia 
(Brazil) and Cobija (Bolivia) agreed to work together in 
combating the spread of the disease in the region. 
 
Source - Ambiente Brasil 
http://www.ambientebrasil.com.br/noticias/ind ex.php3?action= 
ler&id=17733 
 
5. Venezuela, Argentina Sign Bilateral Health Agreement 
 
JAN. 18, 2005 - The Ministers of Health from both Argentina 
and Venezuela signed in Caracas (Venezuela) a bilateral 
agreement related to materials, medical technology, and 
medicine production.  Argentine President Nestor Kirchner 
and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ratified the agreement 
January 31st. 
 
Source - Argentina Ministry of Health 
http://www.msal.gov.ar/htm/site/noticias_plan tilla.asp?Id=48 
9 
 
6. Brazil to Build Four Clinical Research Centers 
 
JAN. 13, 2005 - The Brazilian Ministry of Health plans to 
allocate RS$8 million (US$3 million) to build four clinical 
research centers.  By 2007, another 12 centers are planned 
in all regions of the country.  Each center will be built in 
a teaching hospital and will be accredited by the Ministry 
of Health and the Ministry of Education.  According to the 
press report, this groundbreaking initiative is an attempt 
to reduce the number of researchers sponsored by private 
companies (e.g. pharmaceutical companies). 
 
Source - O Estado de Sao Paulo 
http://www.estadao.com.br/ciencia/noticias/20 05/jan/10/182.h 
tm 
 
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Water Issues 
------------ 
 
7. Paraguay: Unregulated Rice Crop Irrigation Harms Nature 
 
JAN. 24, 2005 - According to the press report, unregulated 
irrigation of large rice crops in the region of Caazapa 
(province) is slowly drying out the Tebicuary River, the 
region's most important natural resource.  The report also 
points out that the water pumps, which do not have a 
protective filter to avoid fish deaths, kill thousands of 
fish daily.  Locals are concerned with the lack of 
intervention by environmental authorities in the matter. 
 
Source - Ultima Hora 
http://www.ultimahora.com.py/template.asp?not ic=175097 
 
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Forests 
------- 
 
8. Colombia's Promising Forestry Sector 
 
FEB. 05, 2005 - According to Colombia's Ministry of 
Agriculture, increasing the country's forestry activities 
from 150,000 planted hectares to 3 million hectares over a 
period of 5 years will increase the number of jobs from 
(currently) 38,000 to 760,000.  According to the press 
report, Colombia has 16 million hectares fit for sustainable 
forestry activities. 
 
Source - Tierramerica 
http://www.tierramerica.net/2005/0205/ecobrev es.shtml 
 
9. Argentina: Government Works to Save Forests 
 
JAN. 24, 2005 - The government of Argentina is working on a 
conservation and forest use project in order to reduce 
deforestation in the region of Santiago del Estero, which, 
during the 20th century, lost nearly 2.5 million hectares of 
forests.  Following pressure from environmentalists in the 
region, the local government halted felling in the region in 
mid 2004 for 180 days and began to work on the project, 
which will be ready this year.  The project has received 
criticism from environmentalists who claim it does not 
consider critical concepts and measures. 
 
Source - Tierramerica 
http://www.tierramerica.net/2005/0122/ecobrev es.shtml 
10. Uruguay Designs Lab to Monitor Cellulose Plants 
JAN. 24, 2005 - Uruguay plans to install in Fray Bentos a 
laboratory that will monitor the activities of all cellulose 
plants in the country.  The lab will carry out environmental 
analysis, monitoring, and provide an on-line system to 
communicate problems in each plant.  The government also 
plans to carry out capacity-building events in order to 
train local workers. 
 
Source - El Telegrafo 
http://www.eltelegrafo.com/notas/loc_24-1-05. htm#local1 
 
11. Deforestation Paves Way in Brazil 
 
JAN. 08, 2005 - BBC News carries an interesting piece on the 
current advance of soybean plantations in the Amazon region 
on Brazil: "Soya bean farmers in Brazil are demanding that a 
600-mile-long stretch of highway, which runs due north 
through the Amazon region, should be paved so it can be used 
in all weathers. But environmentalists are alarmed at the 
plans to cut through the country's natural assets." 
 
Source - For full article click 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_ou r_own_correspon 
dent/4155609.stm 
 
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Wildlife 
-------- 
 
12. Venezuela Studies Threatened Species 
 
JAN. 25, 2005 - With the help of NGO Conservation 
International and Venezuelan NGO Provita, thirteen 
researchers were able to carry out research projects related 
to threatened species.  The Threatened Species Initiative is 
a scholarship fund, which aims to increase research in order 
to protect biodiversity in Venezuela.  Another 22 projects 
may be funded in 2005. 
 
Source - IUCN 
http://www.sur.iucn.org/vitrina/noticia.cfm?p asscodnot=940 
 
13. Colombian Organization Launches Catalogue of Andean 
Plants 
 
JAN. 24, 2005 - Colombian organization EcoAndina, with 
headquarters in Cali (Colombia), has launched a guide of the 
most representative plant species in the Colombian Andes 
region.  The publication, which was funded in part by 
Wildlife Conservation Society, contains information on 
nearly 220 plants found in the mid Otun River Basin. 
 
Source - Tierramerica 
http://www.tierramerica.net/2005/0122/ecobrev es.shtml 
 
14. Colombia: New Lizard Species Identified 
 
JAN. 24, 2005 - Researchers from the University of Santander 
and NGO Conservation International have identified a new 
species of lizard, Anadia bumanguesa.  The species was 
located in near Bucaramanga and is usually less than 15cm 
long.  Scientists warn that the species will be decimated if 
deforestation of nearby forests continues at its current 
rate. 
 
Source - Vanguardia Liberal 
http://www.vanguardia.com/sema/ola0.htm 
 
15. Paraguay Hosts Migratory Bird Event 
 
JAN. 19, 2005 - NGO Guyra Paraguay, Paraguay's Environmental 
Secretariat, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
 
SIPDIS 
hosted a meeting on migratory bird species in Paraguay, 
January 25-26 in Asuncion.  The event aims to compile 
information for the publication of a book, which will 
include maps of strategic areas, bird inventories, and 
conservation recommendations. 
 
Source - IUCN 
http://www.sur.iucn.org/vitrina/noticia.cfm?p asscodnot=934 
 
----------------------------- 
Fishing & Marine Conservation 
----------------------------- 
 
16. White Spot Syndrome Virus Identified in Southern Brazil 
 
JAN. 26, 2005 - The state of Santa Catarina has halted the 
export of crustaceans and fish after the white spot syndrome 
virus was identified in the Laguna region.  Seventeen of the 
140 shrimp farms in the region have been quarantined. 
According to the press report, the disease is able to 
decimate entire shrimp farms in only a few days but is not 
harmful to humans. 
 
Source - Ambiente Brasil 
http://www.ambientebrasil.com.br/noticias/ind ex.php3?action= 
ler&id=17776 
 
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Protected Areas 
--------------- 
 
17. Forest Fire Consumes Uruguayan National Park 
 
JAN. 26, 2005 - A fire, which began in La Esmeralda beach, 
consumed nearly 5,000 hectares of the Santa Teresa National 
Park.  Nearly 14,000 people were evacuated from Santa Teresa 
and Punta del Diablo.  Neighboring countries Argentina, 
Brazil, and Chile were asked to aid in stopping the fire. 
 
Source - Clarin http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/01/26/um/m- 
910967.htm 
-------------------- 
Science & Technology 
-------------------- 
 
18. Brazilian Biotech Center to Receive IMF Funding 
 
JAN. 24, 2005 - The Biotechnology Center located in Manaus 
(Brazil) has been chosen as a baseline project for an 
agreement between the Brazilian government and the 
International Monetary Fund (IMF).  The center, which was 
built in 2002, will build another 12 labs and four support 
units over the next five years.  The main research issues 
include toxicology, production of cosmetics, insecticides 
and pharmaceuticals, and nutrition. 
 
Source - Ambiente Brasil 
http://www.ambientebrasil.com.br/noticias/ind ex.php3?action= 
ler&id=17745 
 
19. Oil Palm Research Takes off in Colombia 
 
JAN. 21, 2005 - Plans to increase Colombia's share of the 
global palm oil market received a boost last month when the 
Center for Oil Palm Research, Cenipalma, opened its first 
research station. Researchers at the experimental farm - 
called La Vizcaina - will attempt to breed new varieties of 
oil palm that produce higher yields of better quality oil. 
They will also try to improve the palms' ability to resist 
attack by crop pests and diseases.  This site is intended to 
become a living collection of oil palm varieties, with about 
half of the farm's 825 hectares set aside for growing 
samples of both the American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera) and 
the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Both species are 
grown in Colombia. 
 
Source - SciDev 
http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseacti on=readNews&ite 
mid=1866&language=1 
 
20. Ecuador Allocates US$582,000 for Scientific Research 
 
JAN. 20, 2005 - Ecuador's Science Foundation Fundacyt has 
announced it will invest US$582,000 in research projects and 
US$234,000 in university scholarships in 2005.  Projects 
that have been going on since 2002 through 2004 are priority 
to receive funding.  In contrast, according to the press 
report, the pharmaceutical industry in Ecuador will invest 
nearly US$10 million in scientific research. 
 
Source - El Comercio 
http://www.elcomercio.com/noticias.asp?noid=1 15657 
 
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Pollution 
--------- 
 
21. OES-Sponsored Mercury Project in the Media 
FEB. 15, 2005 - The United Nations Environmental Program 
(UNEP) newsletter Tierramerica published a brief summary of 
efforts by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) 
to elaborate a plan of action to minimize mercury 
contamination in the eight countries of the Amazon region. 
Brasilia Regional HUB Officers were present at the OES- 
sponsored working group meeting held in Lima (Peru) February 
1-3, where this plan of action was outlined and discussed by 
six of the eight Amazon region countries.  A cable on this 
meeting is currently being drafted. 
 
Source - Tierramerica 
http://www.tierramerica.net/2005/0212/ecobrev es.shtml 
 
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Energy 
------ 
 
 
22. Colombia- Panama Electricity Project Sparks 
Environmental Concern 
 
FEB. 05, 2005 -A project is being developed by the Colombian 
Ministry of Mines and Energy and plans to interconnect 500- 
600 km of electric lines between Colombia and Panama at 
a cost of US$172-221 million.  Environmentalists are 
concerned the lines will cut through and, thus, negatively 
affect, the Darien forest, the largest protected area in 
Central America (597,000 hectares; created in 1980) and also 
claim that the local communities were not consulted.  If the 
project is carried out, the electric lines will connect 
Cerromatoso substation, in Cordoba (Colombia) and Panama II 
by 2008. 
 
Source - Tierramerica 
http://www.tierramerica.net/2005/0205/acentos .shtml 
 
23. Argentina: Experimental Hydrogen Production, in 
Patagonia 
 
FEB. 01, 2005 - The first trial production of hydrogen was 
successfully carried out in Pico Truncado, Santa Cruz 
(Argentina), generating high hopes for future energy 
possibilities.  The collaboration of the University of 
Quebec, The Hydrogen Association of Argentina, and the city 
of Pico Truncado resulted in a successful demonstration of 
enough hydrogen to inflate small balloons.  Residents of 
Pico Truncado hope that the hydrogen plant will one day meet 
the city's domestic electricity consumption and potentially 
serve as a heat and vehicular fuel source. 
 
Source - La Nacion (summarized by US Embassy Buenos Aires) 
 
24. Brazil to Resume Works in Nuclear Plant 
 
JAN. 27, 2005 - Brazilian president Luis Inacio `Lula' da 
Silva authorized a R$134 million (US$52 million) investment 
to resume construction of the Angra 3 nuclear reactor which 
has been on hold since 1986. 
Source - Public Affairs US Embassy Brasilia 
 
25. Colombia, Brazil Study Transborder Hydroelectric Project 
 
JAN. 20, 2005 - Colombian president Alvaro Uribe is 
proposing to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula Da 
Silva, that the two countries construct a hydroelectric 
plant on their common border.  Uribe said the construction 
of a hydroelectric plant would guarantee permanent 
electricity to the Brazilian border town of Tabatinga and, 
on the other side of the border, the Colombian town of 
Leticia.  He said feasibility studies have begun, though 
costs and other relevant issues haven't yet been worked out. 
 
Source - Dow Jones Newswire 
 
26. Brazil: Controversial Hydroelectric Project Follows 
Through 
 
JAN. 12, 2005 - A controversial hydroelectric project, which 
threatens a highly endangered remnant of Brazil's Atlantic 
forest now looks likely to go ahead. Deforestation has 
resumed in the gorge of the Pelotas River dividing the 
southern Brazilian states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande 
do Sul, to prepare for the filling of a reservoir behind the 
180m (590ft) Barra Grande dam. It follows the ending of a 
long impasse during which the $400m project was threatened 
by blockades from local people affected by the dam and court 
proceedings brought by environmental groups. 
Source - BBC 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/416 7393.stm 
 
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General 
------- 
 
27. OAS and ACTO Sign Cooperation Agreement 
 
JAN. 28, 2005 - The Organization of American States (OAS) 
and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) signed 
in Washington an agreement to "work together to support 
Amazon countries in the elaboration and implementation of 
policies [...] that contribute to the regional development 
of the Amazon."  The two organizations hope to work on joint 
projects related to water resources management, environment 
and health, environmental protection and economic 
integration, and biodiversity conservation. 
 
Source - Amazonia.org 
http://www.amazonia.org.br/noticias/noticia.c fm?id=143805 
 
 
28. Chile: Mining Project Stirs Environmental Complaints 
 
JAN. 19, 2005 - Environmental groups claim that Codelco's 
Mansa Mina project in Calama will cause significant damage 
to the landscape and want it to be reconsidered.  Citizens 
said they are worried about water filtration near the mine 
and possible runoff into the river Loa. 
State-run Codelco plans to spend US$900 million on a new 
mine in northern Chile that could produce 188,000 metric 
tons of the precious metal a year by 2007. The mine would 
excavate 50,000 tons of copper a day. 
 
Source - Santiago Times 
 
DANILOVICH