Brazil court reinstates order to free up access to Cargill's Santarem port terminal

By Ana Mano

SAO PAULO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - A Brazilian court reinstated late on Wednesday an order to free up access to the Santarem river port terminal where U.S. grain trader Cargill operates, according to a ruling signed by federal judge Shamyl Cipriano and seen by Reuters.

Indigenous protesters have been blocking truck traffic at the entrance of Cargill's Santarem terminal in northern Brazil for several days, protesting against plans to dredge the Tapajos river and move even more grains like soy and corn destined for export markets.

Last Friday, a federal court issued a decision obligating the government to adopt measures in 48 hours to remove protesters and restore access to Cargill's facility in Para state.

Federal prosecutors told Reuters they appealed that decision, arguing the ruling ignored norms of the National Council of Justice, which requires the direct participation of indigenous peoples and the holding of mediation hearings before any removal.

That led to the ruling being overturned on Sunday, prosecutors said, before Wednesday's reinstatement offered a win for Cargill.

The prosecutors are analyzing the latest court decision.

Amport, which represents port terminal operators in the Amazon basin, welcomed the latest ruling as "it recognizes the essential nature of port infrastructure and ... the harm resulting from a prolonged shutdown."

On Thursday, local media reported indigenous people "intercepted" barges in operation for Cargill in the Santarem area while they were crossing the Tapajos river.

Cargill declined to comment.