The CEO of Carrefour, Alexandre Bompard, released a statement on his social networks on Wednesday (20) in which he states that the retailer is committed to not selling meat from Mercosur, a bloc formed by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, regardless of “prices and quantities of meat” that these countries can offer.
Signed by Bompard, the letter is addressed to Arnaud Rousseau, president of the National Federation of Agricultural Operators’ Unions (FNSEA).
The CEO stated that the decision was taken after hearing the “dismay and anger” of French farmers, who are protesting against the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. The events, organized by FNSEA and Young Farmers (JA), began last Monday, the 18th, with roadblocks and fire to objects.
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The groups are calling on French President Emmanuel Macron to announce that he will use France’s veto if the project is approved. Last week, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier said that the country should not accept the agreement if the text remains as currently proposed.
In the statement released on
He also highlighted that he hopes that Carrefour’s decision will influence other companies in the agri-food sector, especially in the catering market – in which an organization prepares food in a safe space and then takes it to the place where it will be served – which, according to Bompard , is responsible for more than 30% of meat consumption in France.
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When contacted, the Carrefour Brasil Group stated that “nothing changes in operations in the country.”
“It seems like an orchestrated action”, says Minister of Agriculture
The Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, said that Carrefour’s decision “seems like an orchestrated action” by French companies against Brazil. The minister said he was “outraged” by the French’s position.
“It seems to me like an orchestrated action by French companies”, declared the minister to journalists after participating in a dinner with the president of China, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday, in Brasília.
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The minister cited the statement given by Danone’s financial director, Jurgen Esser, published by the news agency Reuterswhich the company now sources product from Asian countries in anticipation of the European Union’s anti-deforestation law. In view of this recent episode, the minister stated that “it makes no sense to think it is a coincidence”.
In Fávaro’s assessment, the statement by Carrefour’s CEO points out Brazilian production conditions “untruely”. “In a way that harms Brazilian sovereignty, disrespecting our production, which is sustainable.”
“It seems to me that they are trying to create a pretext for France not to sign and continue with its position against the finalization of the Mercosur European Union agreement,” said the minister. In his view, it was more “beautiful and legitimate” to just maintain his position against the agreement.
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“There was no need to look for an excuse in what does not exist in sustainable and exemplary Brazilian production. I would be the last person to point out any flaw in French production, but I am outraged when they want to do this to Brazil”, he added.
(with Estadão Conteúdo)
