BRASILIA — A high-profile dispute between supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Brazil's agriculture minister over deforestation escalated this week, coming as activists worry about new President Jair Bolsonaro's environmental policies.

The Brazilian model replied to criticism from Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias by arguing that despite the existence of preserved areas, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is on the rise.

The letter challenged Dias to show progress toward sustainability, saying, "I will be very happy to announce positive actions that are taken in this direction."

Dias had criticized Bundchen on a radio program on Monday for "saying bad things about Brazil without knowledge of the facts," and calling the country a deforester. Dias said the model should instead be highlighting achievements in preservation.

Bundchen, who is married to American football star Tom Brady, responded on Twitter on Wednesday but did not name Dias or the Agriculture Ministry. She had been involved in environmental causes since 2006 and was always looking for more knowledge through "reading and contact with scientists, researchers, farmers, cooperative and environmental organizations," she tweeted.

In her letter, Bundchen countered Dias' argument that Brazil has preserved two-thirds of its native vegetation, citing government data showing Amazon deforestation is on the rise. Amazon deforestation shot up 13.7 percent in the 12 months through July 2018, to the highest point in a decade. — Reuters