(openPR) - Seattle, United States, January 13, 2012 -- Forestry Research Associates (FRA), a research and analysis consultancy, has welcomed news that anti-deforestation policies in Brazil seem to be working, according to new figures.

The latest data from a report published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science show that as the deforestation rate of rainforest in the Mato Grosso region reduced, the rate of food production increased.

FRA claims that this illustrates how the policies introduced by the government of Brazil have helped to encourage more sustainable use of already-deforested areas.

The figures were compiled by Marcia Macedo of the University of Columbia after analysing deforestation rates and comparing them with soya production between 2001 and 2010. The analysis showed that some 91 per cent of the soya production increase in the last half of the period occurred in previously cleared rainforest, rather than on land cleared at the time for the purpose.

The report’s authors wrote: "The land-use transitions observed during the post-boom period-and the case of 2009 in particular-suggest that when market conditions favoured expansion, producers expanded into areas previously cleared for pasture rather than forest areas."

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, announced FRA’s take on the situation. “We are pleased to see that there is now more evidence to support the Brazilian government’s efforts to try to reduce deforestation in the Amazon.”

He added, “We support several reforestation projects and forestry investment projects in the Amazon region, which are also being helped along by the government’s policies.”

An example is the plantation project run by Greenwood Management, which offers investors the chance to buy up sections of plantation forest, which is planted with non-native timbers. Government policies that ban government subsidies for steel firs that use charcoal made form native timbers has increased use of plantation-grown timber in the steel industry, explained FRA.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

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