Fears for Amazon as Bolsonaro plans to merge environment and agriculture ministries

Conservationists fear move will put short-term business interests ahead of the world's biggest terrestrial carbon sink, indigenous communities and rich eco-systems

Jair Bolsonaro will merge Brazil's environment and agriculture ministries, a senior aide has confirmed, raising fears the ultra-right leader will ramp up conversion of Amazon rainforest into farmland.

After his election victory on Sunday, the president-elect is putting together a cabinet that he says will "make Brazil great", though many conservationists fear it will put short-term business interests ahead of the world's biggest terrestrial carbon sink, indigenous communities and rich eco-systems.