The Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina (Alesc) approved a bill that establishes the payment of R$100 for each boar slaughtered. The proposal, approved on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, aims to control the population of the species, which is classified as invasive in the state and whose proliferation without natural predators is highly harmful to local agriculture. For the measure to come into force, the governor’s sanction is still required.
According to the approved text, the government of Santa Catarina will make payment to individuals who prove that the animal was slaughtered legally. Furthermore, on private properties, authorization from the land owner will be essential. The bill, identified as PL 287/2026, does not detail the financial impact of the measure nor the specific mechanisms for making payments.
Representative Camilo Martins, author of the bill, clarified that the initiative is not intended to encourage hunting. Instead, it seeks to cover the “population control costs” that are already carried out by individuals and legal entities duly registered and authorized by the competent environmental bodies.
It is important to note that Alesc’s Environment and Sustainable Development committee expressed its opposition to the project, although other committees issued a favorable opinion.
The State Agriculture and Livestock Federation (Faesc) highlights that the wild boar is an invasive exotic species in Santa Catarina. The animal is known for causing great damage to crops and posing safety risks. Breeding the species is prohibited by law, but hunting is permitted in the state as a form of control.
Analysis of the commissions on the slaughter remuneration proposal
Three important Alesc committees gave a favorable opinion to the project. They are Constitution and Justice, Finance and Taxation and Agriculture and Rural Development. They considered the proposal viable to move forward.
Contrary to the positive opinions, the Environment and Sustainable Development committee opposed the project. The group argued that the financial incentive alone does not guarantee a sustainable population reduction and that the measure “does not ensure environmental results proportional to the public resources that will be used”.
Understand the details of the bill approved by Alesc
- Objective:Institute the Financial Incentive Program for the control of the European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Santa Catarina, following Law No. 18,817/2023.
- Incentive value:Payment of R$100 for each animal slaughtered.
- Who can receive:Individuals or legal entities that are registered with the environmental agency and have the appropriate authorization to manage the species.
- Payment requirements:Proof of regular slaughter, according to the means defined in regulation, and authorization from the owner or lessee for slaughter carried out in private areas.
- Executive Branch may:Sign agreements with municipalities and other entities to carry out the Program and establish priority regional criteria, based on the level of infestation.
Wild boar slaughter is now authorized for control in Santa Catarina
In Santa Catarina, hunting and handling wild boar are already permitted activities. State legislation authorizes this practice exclusively for the purpose of population control of the species, aiming to mitigate its negative impacts.
The state government emphasizes that these animals are responsible for major losses to small rural producers. Losses are particularly felt in plantations located in areas close to Araucaria forests, where the incidence of wild boars is more common.
