The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), Carlos Fávaro, defended the boycott of some entities in the Brazilian productive sector and industry in relation to avoiding the supply of meat to Carrefour, especially in Brazil. The initiative comes after the announcement of .
The CEO of Carrefour, Alexandre Bompard, published a statement on his social networks in which he committed to the French supermarket chain not selling any meat from Mercosur in its units in France.
The restriction on Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay comes amid a wave of protests by French farmers against the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc.
In Brazil, the company reported that the decision announced by the CEO of Carrefour in France has no relation to the operation of the Carrefour Brasil Group: “the Carrefour Brasil Group informs that nothing changes in operations in the country”.
Fávaro said he was surprised by the fact that the local presidency continues to buy, while the head office in France does not want to buy. “Well, if it doesn’t serve the French, it won’t serve the Brazilians. So, don’t supply meat even for the market of this brand here in Brazil”, declared the minister in an interview with journalists, on Thursday night (21 ).
Despite agreeing with the non-supply of meat, the minister stated that this is not a boycott of the group, but rather an act of Brazilian sovereignty. “I’ve seen the movement on the part of the meat producers themselves, with which I sympathize, that it’s absurd for the company to say that it’s the head office that doesn’t want to buy, it’s France. Here Brazilian meat is used for Carrefour. No , it’s not like that”, criticized Fávaro.
“Have respect for our construction. I thought it was a commendable attitude from the Brazilian industry to say: so, I won’t supply either. An attitude that shows sovereignty and respect for Brazilian legislation has my support”, added the minister.
Episode similar to the Danone boycott
The minister stated that “it is difficult to believe that there is coordinated action on the part of French companies”, but highlighted that he also does not believe in mere coincidences, making reference to a similar episode that occurred at the end of October involving the supply of soybeans to the French company Danone.
“Now, Carrefour, an action like this. Brazil does not refuse to discuss sustainability with anyone, anywhere in the world. A government and a country that are committed to respecting the environment, traceability, good health, all ESG principles, but in no way will our sovereignty be attacked. This is irreproachable”, defended Fávaro, citing the strict legislation adopted in the country.
Finally, the minister demonstrated confidence that French companies “will rethink what they are saying about Brazilian production”.
Carrefour França said, in a statement, that the measure announced on Wednesday (20) does not refer to the quality of the Mercosur product, but only to demand from the French agricultural sector. According to the retailer, the measure only applies to stores in France and that other countries, including Brazil and Argentina and franchises, will be able to continue to buy meat from Mercosur.
