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Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and Belgium, who signed a letter to the Brazilian government criticizing “high rates” of “deforestation”, bought $ 6.77 billion in agricultural products in Brazil in the period, equivalent to 9.71% of what the sector sold abroad (US $ 69.6 billion).
For comparison, China, the largest agricultural customer, imported US $ 26.43 billion from January to August., which represents 37.96% of Brazilian exports in values.
These eight European countries spent 4.15% more with Brazilian agro-industrial products than in the same period of 2019, the sector experienced an increase in exports despite the pandemic.
Deforestation: the government plans to bring ambassadors to the Amazon in October, says Mourão
Agricultural sales to European countries – Photo: Juliane Souza / G1
Part of this group also competes with Brazil in the global supply of food and has subsidies from the European Union to achieve greater competitiveness in relation to the Brazilian product (read below).
European countries charge Brazil for measures to curb deforestation in the Amazon
Adding to the purchase of the eight countries, green coffee, soybeans, soy bran and meats were the most traded items. Of these products, some soybeans and a large part of the beef production come from the Amazon biome, where there was an increase in deforestation alerts in August.
Leading these countries is the Netherlands, which imported US $ 2.63 billion from January to August of this year, a growth of 21.2% compared to last year.
The Dutch purchase was mainly of soybeans (US $ 1,070 million), soybean meal (US $ 478.4 million) and orange juice (US $ 291.6 million).
NGOs and businessmen demand government against deforestation
What follows is Germany, which bought our country US $ 1,160 million, 4.98% less than last year.
Green coffee (US $ 582.3 million), soybean meal (US $ 354.4 million) and chicken meat (US $ 42.2 million) were the most imported items.
Complete the top-3 of Belgium, which bought US $ 858.9 million from the Brazilian agribusiness, 22% less than last year.
The reason for the drop is that the country bought almost 50% less orange juice from Brazil. However, it is worth remembering that the main fruit production center of the country is in the southeast, not in the Amazon.
Lead imports: green coffee (US $ 229.8 million), tobacco (US $ 270.9 million) and orange juice (US $ 223.5 million).
Consumer pressure
The eight countries on Tuesday (15) sent a letter to the Vice President of the Republic, Hamilton Mourão, in which they say that the increase in deforestation makes it difficult for consumers to buy Brazilian products.
HE The document is signed by the Amsterdam Declaration Association., a group formed by Germany (currently in the presidency), Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.
The seven European countries say they are committed to stopping deforestation of chains of agricultural products sold to Europe. Belgium also signed the open letter.
“In Europe, there is a legitimate interest in ensuring that products and food are produced in a fair, environmentally appropriate and sustainable way. Given this, commercial agents, such as suppliers, distributors and investors, are increasingly reflecting this interest in their corporate strategies ”, states an extract from the letter.
Brazil is one of the largest food producers and exporters in the world. This makes it a safe and consistent provider, however, damage to the country’s image in relation to the preservation of the environment can close markets.
“The biggest pressure comes from the consumer upwards, the so-called ‘bottom-up’. Companies even have some internal rejection (of deforestation), but they are always attentive to the consumer, who is more sensitive to the news, ”explains Carlos Coelho, professor of International Relations at PUC-Rio.
Since the fiery crisis in the Amazon last year, the country has suffered pressure from companies and investors over increased deforestation.
“Our concern is to reach a time when the lower price of the Brazilian product does not compensate for the level of consumer complaints,” adds Coelho.
Aerial view of the burned area in the Amazon, near Apuí, Amazonas, on August 11. – Photo: Ueslei Marcelino / Reuters
The group of countries says that actions taken by Brazil in the past, such as the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon, the Brazilian Forest Code and the Moratorium on Soy in the Amazon, are recognized by the effect they had on reducing deforestation. .
However, he warns that deforestation has increased at “alarming rates”. This, according to the group of countries, generated concern in the European community.
While it shows concern, the Europeans’ statement also has a political context, in addition to the environmental issue.
The countries of the continent have large subsidies from the European Union so that they can compete with the Brazilian product.
Subsidies to rural production in the European Union reached one billion figures in 2017 – Photo: Diana Yukari / G1
Of the countries that sign the letter, France is the largest agricultural power in the bloc, competing with Brazil especially in the production of soy, milk and derivatives.
Germany is also another major world producer, especially of meat.
For Carlos Coelho, professor at PUC-Rio, although these eight countries are far behind China, Europeans continue to have a great influence on the world market.
In its assessment, the complaint may undermine an important objective of the Brazilian government, which is to establish the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
In an interview with G1 In June, the German ambassador to Brazil, Georg Witschel, said that increased deforestation in the Amazon is making it “increasingly difficult” to ratify the free trade agreement between the blocs.
Mourão says that the Mercosur agreement with the European Union ‘seems to have started producing water’
“The letter generates more noise, and all noise means fragmentation of the Brazilian negotiating capacity, including the European Union-Mercosur Agreement”, explains Coelho.
The pact, which still depends on the approval of all the countries involved, would boost the economy and generate great interest for Brazilian agriculture.
Brazilian government response
Mourão, who chairs the Amazon Council, told reporters on Wednesday (16) that the issue was discussed in a meeting with Ministers Ricardo Salles (Environment) and Tereza Cristina (Agriculture).
The vice president said that Itamaraty should seek the German ambassador to discuss the position of the eight countries. He also reported that the Brazilian government will organize a trip for ambassadors to the Amazon.
Without evidence, Mourão says opponent in Inpe prioritizes the disclosure of negative data
“The decision is that Itamaraty will speak with the German ambassador. In the letter, they make their representatives available to dialogue, so we are planning that trip, which I already told you, to the Amazon, which will take place at the end of October. So that’s what we discussed there, ”said the vice president.
According to Mourão, Brazil does not hide the situation in the Amazon, but does not accept “simplistic” or “distorted” narratives. He said that environmental crimes damage the image of the country and hinder business.
“Environmental crimes leave our country vulnerable to smear campaigns, paving the way for protectionist interests to raise unjustifiable trade barriers against agribusiness exports,” said Mourão.
