Minister sees misconceptions in link between farming, deforestation

“The association made by countries between food production in Brazil and deforestation and the burns in the Amazon is riddled with misconceptions,” Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina told executives and local authorities at a ceremony on trade and investment in Brazil, at the Arab–Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Dubai, Arab Emirates, this Sunday (Sep 22). “The problem in the Amazon is being addressed with the seriousness it deserves, as I could witness in a recent visit to the region,” she added.

Supply

Tereza Cristina noted that Brazil has developed policies and tools to both protect the environment and boost the productivity and quality of agribusiness. She pointed out that environmental preservation is a concern not only of the Brazilian government, but also of rural producers.

While talking about the commercial opportunities between Brazil and the Arab Emirates, the minister also said that the potential for trade and investment is enormous and should be bolstered. “There are opportunities throughout the production chain of agribusiness: supplies, machinery, production, processing, stocking, distribution, transport, research, technology, and innovation.”

The minister also named infrastructure projects that could receive funding from overseas, like railways and highways, in addition to initiatives in forest products, dairy, agriculture, horticulture, and more. “It is to expand the Brazilian presence in the global market and unveil investment opportunities for strategic partners that I have intensified my international engagements,” she said.

Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina, in Dubai – Ministry of Agriculture, LIvestock, and Supply

High sanitary levels

Tereza Cristina mentioned the government’s joint efforts with producers in devising control programs, which account for high sanitary levels and the fact that Brazil has never reported cases of bird flu, shows virtually no risk for cow disease, and has made significant strides in eradicating foot-and-mouth disease.

According to official data, trade between Brazil and the Arab Emirates adds up to $2.5 billion, virtually half of it agricultural goods. Chicken, sugar, and beef total 77 percent of everything Brazil exports to the Emirates.

*With information from the Ministry of Agriculture