The senator (-MS) criticized this Wednesday (4) the decision by Carrefour, from France, to stop the trade in meat from Mercosur. The former Minister of Agriculture of the government of () chaired a public hearing at the Environment Commission that discussed the topic with members of the sectors involved.
“What we saw in action last week from Paris was the purest protectionism disguised as environmental concern. Hypocrisy,” he said. “We cannot accept that protectionist interests harm our trade balance, our economy and the prosperity of our families.”
The senator heard representatives from agribusiness associations, industry and the Ministry of the Environment to improve Bill No. 2088/2023. The text intends to impose compliance with environmental standards compatible with those of Brazil, for the availability of products on the Brazilian market.
The clash between the countries takes place in a context in which it could affect up to 30% of Brazilian exports to the bloc.
The law prohibits the import of products from areas deforested after December 2020 and applies to coffee, soy, palm oil, wood, leather, beef, cocoa and rubber. According to estimates by the Brazilian government, the measure could affect around 30% of sales to the European bloc.
“For Brazilian agribusiness entities, the law is arbitrary and attacks national sovereignty. It seems to ignore that Brazil already adopts strict environmental standards such as the Forest Code and leads sustainable production practices globally”, said Tereza Cristina.
Also during the hearing, the sustainability and institutional relations advisor at the Brazilian Tanning Industry Center (CICB), Ricardo Andrade, said that the sector is also against European Union legislation and will ask for the removal of leather from this legislation.
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