Bolsonaro calls for tighter control of Brazil deforestation data

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday called for tighter control of official deforestation data, resuming attacks on government space research agency INPE, whose satellite imaging shows a jump in clearing of the Amazon rainforest this year.

Bolsonaro, who on Friday accused INPE of falsifying data, added that data should be shown first to a member of his cabinet before being disclosed publicly. Mid-July INPE data showed Amazon deforestation hitting the fastest pace in years, raising red flags for a trade deal with the European Union.

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