Brazil increases the number of agricultural attaches and strengthens operations abroad

The federal government increased the number of Brazilian agricultural attachés at diplomatic representations abroad from 25 to 28. O Decree No. 10.519, with the changes, was published in the Official Gazette of the Union this Thursday (15).

Currently, Brazil has 24 agricultural attachés assets located in 22 countries (Beijing and Brussels have two attachés). A vacancy in Geneva (Switzerland) is open and should be filled later this year.

The new agricultural attachés will perform their duties in new strategic posts, which will be defined by Joint Ordinance of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. The new additions are expected to begin their work at the beginning of next year.

The decree brings other changes, such as the requirement that the attaché must have been a federal public servant for at least ten years, occupying a permanent position or employed on the permanent staff of a federal public company or a federal mixed-capital company. Previously, this period was four years. The change seeks to adapt candidates to the seniority and experience expected of the position, which would be equivalent to the position of Counselor in the diplomatic career.

Another new requirement is that the server must be working at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) or one of its linked entities.

The duration of the advisory mission on agricultural matters will initially be four consecutive years, non-extendable, counting from the date of presentation of the agricultural attaché to the diplomatic representation to which he/she was appointed. Previously, the term was two years, extendable once for the same period.

Attachés carry out permanent advisory missions at Brazilian diplomatic representations abroad. Their role is to identify opportunities, challenges and possibilities for trade, investment and cooperation for Brazilian agribusiness. To this end, they have dialogue with representatives of the public and private sectors, as well as interacting with relevant opinion makers, in civil society, the press and academia.

Agricultural attachés have been widely recognized as agents for greater insertion of Brazilian agriculture in local markets. At the last attaché meeting, an activity held in September on a virtual platform, more than 500 meetings took place between these professionals and various representatives of the Brazilian private sector.