Environmental Crimes and Family Farming: The Role of International Legal Cooperation in the Protection of the Environment and Small Farmers

Abstract

The increasing incidence of environmental crimes associated with agricultural expansion has exposed tensions between economic development, environmental conservation, and social justice. In the Brazilian and Latin American context, this issue becomes even more complex due to the coexistence of large-scale agricultural enterprises and family farming. This article aims to review the academic and normative literature related to environmental crimes in the agricultural sector, with special attention to the situation of small farmers and the role of international legal cooperation in the repression and prevention of such offenses. The methodology adopted consisted of a qualitative literature review, including the analysis of academic articles, institutional reports, and international treaties published between 2004 and 2023. The results indicate that most environmental crimes are linked to large rural properties involved in activities such as illegal deforestation, land grabbing, and the irregular use of natural resources. On the other hand, small farmers face structural difficulties such as lack of land regularization, limited technical support, and restricted access to credit, which hinder their ability to operate in a fully legal and sustainable manner. The review also reveals that mechanisms of international legal cooperation, although expanding, still lack practical effectiveness, especially regarding the integration between crime prevention and the promotion of social justice. It is concluded that advancing international regulatory harmonization and formulating public policies that strengthen family farming as a strategic agent of sustainability and environmental protection are essential.