Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld relevant laws in various states, which actually put an end to a landmark move that was once thought to be effective in curbing the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest for growing soybeans. The justices dismissed farmers' claims that the 20-year voluntary “soybean moratorium” was illegal, thereby exempting grain traders and processors from potential damages in the billions of reais the farmers claimed. However, the court upheld measures taken by various states, such as Mato Grosso's move last year to withdraw tax benefits for companies participating in the suspension order.

Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld relevant laws in various states, which actually put an end to a landmark move that was once thought to be effective in curbing the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest for growing soybeans. The justices dismissed farmers' claims that the 20-year voluntary “soybean moratorium” was illegal, thereby exempting grain traders and processors from potential damages in the billions of reais the farmers claimed. However, the court upheld measures taken by various states, such as Mato Grosso's move last year to withdraw tax benefits for companies participating in the suspension order.