Following is a sad insight into Brazil's current ethanol industry, and a clear reality check on the President of Brazil's rhetoric and rose-tinted framing of the recent Brazil/U.S. ethanol partnership agreements.

More than 1,000 labourers have been freed in Brazil by the government's anti-slavery team.

They were said to be working in inhumane conditions on a sugar cane plantation in the Amazon.

An ethanol-producing company which owns the plantation has denied allegations of abusing the workers.

Human rights and labour organisations believe that between 25,000 to 40,000 people could be working in conditions akin to slavery in Brazil.

Many farmers in the Amazon region who incur debts are forced to work virtually for free in order to repay the money they owe.

Labour ministry officials and prosecutors discovered more than 1,100 workers working 14 hours a day and living in conditions described as "appalling". - BBC

Further Reading:

• Lula da Silva Speaks
• Biofuels - It's Getting Annoying Now