17th International Congress of Arachnology - BRAZIL 2007

Collecting in Brazil

Brazil has one of the best laws concerning conservation in the World.

Collecting is forbidden unless one has a “permit” to do so – this applies even to Brazilian citizens and to Brazilian scientists.

The National Conservation Agency (called IBAMA) follows strict instructions to allow collection of natural biological and geological material.

Restrictions are still larger for foreign scientists, which should follow the rules established by CNPq, which is our National Scientific Research Agency, related to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT).

For more information, please consult:

http://www.cnpq.br/programasespeciais/coopint/expedicaocientifica/english/index.htm

Attention: Collection and transportation (especially to foreign countries) of Brazilian biological material without a permit is a crime (with no bail).

A tip: if you want/need to collect specimens in Brazil and/or to take Brazilian material with you, you may contact scientists in Brazil which would work together with you, and/or museums from where you may borrow material for studies; and in these cases you will obtain the proper permit to transport the material with you back to your country; and do not forget to plan it in advance, since the time needed to get a permit generally ranges from six months to one year or more (although the official agencies state that it generally takes a few months).

There will be no official field excursion during the congress.