External regulatory frameworks are influenced by geopolitical changes, with unilateralist, protectionist and nationalist ideas, and the weakening of multilateralism, but also by other factors, such as consumer preferences, climate issues, biodiversity, deforestation and political ideologies. “Brazil needs to be strategic, developing a positive and proactive agenda, and presenting scientifically based proposals, supported by a critical mass, through alliances with other countries”, assessed ambassador Roberto Azevêdo, former director-general of the WTO ( World Trade Organization) during the webinar ABAGTALKS – Agribusiness and Geopolitics: Brazil's role in the face of new foreign regulations, promoted by ABAG (Brazilian Agribusiness Association), this Tuesday (7).
According to Azevêdo, to find solutions in the face of fragmentation due to the polarization of countries, it is not possible to wait for international organizations, which are weakened and do not have enough agility for this discussion. Therefore, countries need to take the lead, especially Brazil, which has capacity and influence when it comes to agribusiness. The private sector is crucial, significantly impacting the public sector's understanding of current events. Therefore, there needs to be a link between the two”, he observed.
Strategic alliances and sustainability
The coordination work promoted by Brazil will require time, as it will be necessary to form strategic alliances in the most diverse blocks, according to Azevêdo. “In the case of food safety, the United States can be a great ally, because it needs to face protectionist regulations without a scientific basis. In other words, even if the problems are not identical, it is possible to find themes for cooperation”, exemplified the ambassador, who added that Mercosur can create international forums, together with other partners, in order to help in the development of an international agenda, with scientific basis, to ensure credibility and to show that the reality of each country is different.
For Caio Carvalho (president of ABAG), unilateralism has brought suspicions that increase the process of fragmentation and unpredictability. “Meetings on regulatory frameworks indicate global lack of interest, exacerbating the crisis of confidence”, he highlighted. Corroborating Azevêdo's considerations, Carvalho assessed that it is necessary to establish a geopolitics of global interest, with open markets, based on science and metrics, favoring dialogue and trust, through proactive actions. “We need to be ahead, lead the narrative, through integration between the public and private sectors, in order to include regulatory frameworks that accelerate the transition to a green economy, with benefits for agribusiness agents and society”.
The carbon paradox in agriculture
Mediated by Ingo Ploger, vice-president of ABAG, the webinar featured the participation of Renata Miranda (Secretary of Innovation, Sustainable Development, Irrigation and Cooperatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock), who highlighted Brazilian agriculture's commitment to sustainability. “Our country can take its leading role by understanding the geopolitical scenario and establishing structuring policies for sustainable development – in the economic, social and environmental pillars –, recognizing these new existing business models”. She also cited the importance of cooperativism and associations in respecting the sectoral and regional character, the conditions and variables of the biomes, the history and local culture and of the original peoples for the technological transition, reducing costs and increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized companies. farmers.
Another point she brought up was the issue of carbon in agriculture. “Our sector works on the magical paradox, as it is the only one that captures carbon from the atmosphere and transforms it into food, fiber and energy. Therefore, it is unfair to include agriculture in the global emissions count. Renata highlighted that agriculture emits and captures carbon, emphasizing the need to invest in science to measure carbon in the soil.
Regional leadership in global solutions
Marcelo Regunaga, from GPS, highlighted the food and environmental potential of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay during the webinar. “We are leaders in global solutions to critical issues where global organizations fail to act effectively. However, we must collaborate with governments to understand our reality, improve processes and position our bloc globally.”
Regunaga analyzes that regional agribusiness leads in sustainability, with practices such as direct planting and biotechnology reducing agrochemicals. “We need to show that our diverse region helps solve food security and the energy transition globally. In this sense, it is necessary to respect the reality of each country. Unilateral restrictions without scientific basis are harmful; It is necessary to recover global governance through joint action between public and private entities.”
Source: datagro
