At FAO, minister defends an end to protectionism in developed countries in agriculture

In a speech at the 41st Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in Rome, minister Tereza Cristina (Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) defended this Monday (23) the end of protectionism in developed countries and the adoption of scientific principles in the regulation of international food trade.

According to the minister, these measures are more than necessary so that poor nations can develop their agricultural sectors and world trade is fair and free for everyone.

“With the current rules-based system being continually tested by the power of those national states adhering to regulatory populism, Brazil is absolutely convinced of the need to preserve the scientific principle in regulating international trade in inputs and food. A global system regulated only for the benefit of a few rich countries is not in the interests of food producers and consumers around the world – and it is not in the interests of Brazil either,' he said.

The minister highlighted that protectionism in developed countries threatens the increase in food production in developing nations, which are left competing with subsidized products. “A truly free and fair agricultural trade would, without a doubt, allow for the spread of improved conditions in the countryside, where most of the world's poverty is concentrated. It would also trigger a virtuous cycle, in which greater decentralized production would guarantee greater access to adequate food and nutrition.” According to FAO, 821 million people still suffer from hunger in the world.

For Tereza Cristina, FAO must assume the role of “an unavoidable forum for development, for technical support in the production of healthy food from sustainable agriculture, livestock and fishing and aquaculture”, together with other international organizations, such as OIE, the ICPV and the Codex Alimentarius.

“The system based on science and clear rules was our collective response to a past of risk and uncertainty. Now and in the future, this brilliant framework must become the force that will guarantee abundant and quality food, leading the concert of nations to, for the first time in history, guarantee food security for their entire population, without neglecting the preservation of our environmental heritage”, he stated, highlighting that it is a Brazilian commitment to other nations and future generations.

Family farming and innovation
Tereza Cristina also highlighted the role of family farmers in eradicating global hunger by 2030, a United Nations goal.

The minister mentioned that, in Brazil, there are 5,1 million rural family properties, responsible for the income of 40% of the economically active population and for the majority of food consumed in the country.

“This successful model can be replicated in other countries, especially those with less relative development. To this end, it is crucial to consider agriculture and food security alongside agricultural trade issues.”

The minister warns that the democratization of agricultural production involves innovation, which, according to her, is the basis for the advancement of Brazilian agriculture in recent decades.

With technological innovation, Brazil managed to fivefold grain production in 40 years, without increasing the area occupied by plantations, just over 30% of the territory. Furthermore, Brazilian rural producers harvest two, and even three harvests of certain crops in the same year.

“Based on the achievements of recent decades, we can find Brazilian food on the tables of more than a billion people, around the world, every day”, he highlighted, highlighting that innovation has also brought sustainable and environmental practices, such as integration between crops , livestock and forestry, planting of commercial forests, organic products and recovery of degraded areas.

“All these achievements – including environmental ones – are only possible thanks to innovation. And it is precisely this vector of development that is currently under threat from the practices, perhaps even well-intentioned, but with broad harmful effects, of some rich countries. As some developed countries abandon science-based principles in regulating food production and trade, not only fair trade is being penalized, but the entire innovation ecosystem that would allow us to feed more people using fewer resources.”

New general director

The minister congratulated Qu Dongyu, vice-minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Affairs of China, elected this Sunday (23) the new director-general of FAO for the next four years. The Brazilian government officially supported Dongyu's election.

In a meeting with the minister, the new director thanked Brazil for its support. “I need the support to continue,” he said.

In her speech, Tereza Cristina also congratulated Brazilian José Graziano, the organization's current general director and who will end his second term in July.

“Professor Graziano was elected based on his ability to translate the aspirations of Brazilian society in the search for food security into public policies. Over the last 8 years, FAO and its members have responded with ambitious commitments to the important global challenges that have arisen. Brazil is willing to do even more – and, in return, the country will also ask for more from this organization”, said the minister

In his farewell speech, José Graziano defended changes in the agricultural process, with innovation and sustainability to prevent deforestation and the depletion of natural resources. According to him, there is a place in the world for family farming. He defended that FAO continues to focus on malnutrition in the most vulnerable populations.