Brazil’s president has vetoed parts of a controversial congressional bill that sought to loosen the country’s environmental licensing rules

Dubbed the "Devastation Bill" by environmentalists, the motion approved by Congress and backed by Brazil's powerful agribusiness community significantly weakens environmental controls in licensing processes, giving states and municipalities more power to issue licenses for new business developments.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed into law a bill that eases environmental licensing rules for projects, but vetoed 63 of its provisions, the executive secretary of the president's office said on Friday.

Lula approved the controversial bill easing environmental licensing rules, but struck down or altered 63 articles.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva partially vetoed a controversial law that campaigners warned would gut protections for critical ecosystems including the Amazon rainforest ahead of the country hosting the landmark UN climate conference.