Brasília, February 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Negotiations to try to obtain approval, yesterday (4), for the Biosecurity Law project sent two Ministers to the Chamber of Deputies: Aldo Rebelo (Political Coordination) and Roberto Rodrigues (Agriculture). The two met with legislative party leaders in the office of Chamber president João Paulo Cunha. Since the wee hours of the morning, negotiations have been intense. The reporter of the bill, Deputy Renildo Calheiros (PCdoB/PE), was up until 2 A.M. discussing a text that would satisfy environmentalists.

The modifications introduced by Calheiros, however, displeased the rural bloc, eliminating the possibility of any agreement to approve the proposal. As a result, Cunha withdrew the project from the Special Commission, in order for it to be voted directly on the floor of the Chamber. (DAS)