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President Dilma Rousseff on Friday vetoed portions of Brazil's new Forest Code, a bill drafted to open big areas of protected forests to large-scale agriculture. The decision by Ms. Rousseff, which removes 12 articles from the bill, alters legislation sought by powerful agricultural groups. The bill had provoked outrage among environmentalists, some business leaders and cultural icons, especially over a provision that effectively granted amnesty to landowners who illegally deforested some areas. Responding to these concerns, Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said the president's line-item vetoes ruled out amnesty. Still, Ms. Rousseff's action fell short of the expectations of environmental groups, which had wanted her to veto the entire bill. Details about the changes to the bill were sparse on Friday, with Brazil's powerful Agriculture and Livestock Confederation withholding comment. The official text of Ms. Rousseff's alterations, which include dozens of suggested changes to the bill in addition to the vetoed portions, is expected to be published on Monday. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]