Minister speaks to European ambassadors about sustainability in Brazilian agriculture

The importance of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, the convergences in sustainability agendas and the recognition of health standards already adopted in Brazil were discussed this Monday (04) in a meeting held by Minister Tereza Cristina (Agriculture, Livestock and Supply ) with ambassadors from the European Union.

The minister spoke to the ambassadors about Brazil's concern with sustainability in agriculture. “The world will increasingly need healthy food. I don’t understand that preservation is separated from development,” she said, recalling the importance of Brazilian legislation for preserving the environment, such as the forestry code, as well as initiatives such as the ABC Plan and the National Plan for Planted Forests.

The ambassadors highlighted that it is important to have greater knowledge of the Brazilian reality so that our initiatives combining productivity and sustainability can be correctly transmitted to other countries. The minister made the Map available to ambassadors to provide reliable information about Brazil to European Union countries. “The Map is available with information, data and whatever you need so that this information reaches you correctly”, highlighted Tereza Cristina.

The minister also highlighted the importance of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union for Brazilian agriculture. For her, the agreement will bring benefits to both blocs and will be important to expand Brazil's exports to the European Union.

“We also have other things to work on together that could bring benefits to Brazilian producers and also to European consumers. For the agricultural sector, it is an unprecedented agreement, it will be a game changer for us,” he said. The main products exported to the European market are soybean meal, soybeans, green coffee, orange juice and corn, which represent 73% of Brazilian agricultural exports to the European Union. The objective is to consolidate these positions and ensure greater access to other products as well.

This was the first lunch held by a Brazilian minister with ambassadors from European Union member countries since the new ambassador of the European Union Delegation  to Brazil, Ignacio Ybañez, took up his duties in July this year. The meeting was held at the Embassy of Finland, the country that holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. Brazil is in the rotating presidency of Mercosur.