An economic stimulus package approved by a Peruvian congressional commission on June 25 is drawing fire from green advocates, who say it will turn back the clock on key environmental regulations. But government officials argue the measures sent to Congress by the executive branch on June 18 are needed to offset an economic slowdown that has seen a drop in prices of minerals, one of Peru’s key export commodities. Critics spotlight four key environmental provisions—a decrease in fines for environmental infractions; a reduced time frame for the Environment Ministry to comment on projects; and a requirement that environmental quality standards and reserved zones that are the first step toward creation of protected areas be established by cabinet resolution, rather than by an Environment Ministry... [Log in to read more]