I don't disagree with you. What I'm trying to say is that there are forcing functions which make it so Brazil continues to let this pass, many of which are entrenched in the history of Brazil. Calling them stupid or ignorant is to miss the forest for the trees, and ignores the fact that these activities were propelled by foreign institutions/corporations as well. To think this is Brazil's own doing is to disregard the effects of capitalism and globalization in the last couple of decades. Sure, Brazil could be "smarter" than this and act in its own interest but that hasn't bode well for most latinamerican countries in the last half century.

For Brazil to "care" the dollar value of keeping the forest untouched needs to be greater _for everyone involved_ than that of using it to graze cattle or cultivate soy. The dollar value is certainly greater all things considered (past, present, and future) but that value is less tangible to land owners and ultimately the country itself. You have to understand the socioeconomic and political context leading to these conditions.

Same goes for Indonesia and Borneo cutting down their forest for palm oil.