The Bill 3137/26 creates the crime of rural terrorism, with a prison sentence of 12 to 30 years, for acts of destruction or sabotage of structures considered essential to agro-livestock production. The proposal is under analysis in the Chamber of Deputies.
The definition of rural terrorism includes acts carried out to intimidate, coerce, harass or cause serious economic, social or production damage, such as:
- destroying crops or livestock;
- destroy or sabotage agricultural machinery, equipment, and facilities;
to interrupt or damage irrigation or energy systems used in production; - destroy or sabotage silos, warehouses, and sheds;
- intentionally contaminate seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, other agricultural inputs, or water reservoirs;
- block, destroy, or sabotage essential internal roads used for transporting production.
According to the author, deputy José Medeiros (PL-MT), although the law punishes various acts as crimes against property, the current law does not recognize the collective damage caused by attacks targeting the strategic infrastructure of food production.
"The destruction of a large combine harvester, for example, does not only cause damage to the owner. It can affect cooperatives. It can generate losses in export contracts. It can jeopardize regional supply. It can generate economic impacts throughout the entire production chain," he emphasized as justification.
The deputy reiterated that he does not intend to criminalize legitimate social movements, peaceful demonstrations, or political demands.
The proposal amends theAntiterrorism Law, Law of Heinous CrimesandPenal Code
Heinous crime
The project includes in the Law of Heinous Crimes the sabotage of the national agro-pastoral infrastructure when practiced through destruction, fire, explosion, contamination, looting or inutilization of essential production structures.
Furthermore, the proposal adds a crime of sabotaging agricultural and livestock infrastructure to the Penal Code, with a penalty of 8 to 20 years in prison and a fine.
The penalty may be increased by half or doubled if there is damage exceeding one minimum wage, interruption of food production, compromise of regional supply, involvement of a criminal organization, or political or ideological motivation.
If the action results in significant food shortages or collective harm, the penalty will be 12 to 24 years in prison.
Next steps
The project will be reviewed by the committees of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Supply, and Rural Development; Public Safety and Organized Crime; and Constitution and Justice, and Citizenship. The proposal is subject to consideration by the Plenary.