Deputy Pezenti criticized the government’s decision claiming that it opens the doors for nonexistent pests and diseases in Brazil and can compromise the support of thousands of families of farmers
Federal Deputy Pezenti (MDB-SC) criticized the decision announced by the Brazilian government of authorizing the resumption of importation of Banana do Ecuador. For the parliamentarian, the measure endangers national production, opens the doors for nonexistent pests and diseases in Brazil and can compromise the support of thousands of farmers’ families. Brazil is consolidated as one of the largest banana producers in the world, usually between third or 4 quarter place in volume produced.
“A decision will endanger all banana production in the country,” warned Pezenti. Recent data from Embrapa indicate a production that remains above 6.6 million tons, cultivated at about 455 thousand hectares. “We are talking about an activity that generates employment, income and export. In Santa Catarina alone, thousands of families depend on banana. There are 28 thousand hectares. Brazil does not have to import. We are self -sufficient and we still export to South America, Europe, North America and Africa. Lula’s decision is wrong and threatens an entire production chain,” said Pezenti.
The deputy also recalled the phytosanitary risks of imports. Among them, the banana bract mosaic virus (BBRMV), aggressive variants of black sigatoka and fungus Fusarium TR4 – known as Panama evil – which can make plantations unfeasible. “Russia has already barred the Ecuadorian banana for risk of contamination, and the Brazilian government wants to open its doors? This can be expensive for the consumer, who can see the price of the pound of fruit, as happens in imports dependent on imports,” he said.
Pezenti said he has already made a formal hearing request at the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss the issue with Minister Carlos Fávaro. “I trust that the minister will be sensitive. We cannot play with Brazil’s food security or compromise the future of more than 500,000 families linked to bananiculture across the country,” he concluded.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the young Pan.
