The president of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), Marina Grossi, defended this Wednesday (22), in the Chamber of Deputies, the maintenance of the Forest Code (Law 12.651/12) as a factor of competitiveness for Brazilian agribusiness. Representing 60 large business groups associated with CEBDS, Marina Grossi participated in a hearing at the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee, which discusses the processing of direct actions of unconstitutionality filed against the Forest Code.
On the 8th, the joint committee of Provisional Measure (MP) 867/18 approved the report that extends until December 31, 2020 the deadline for joining the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), which establishes the adaptation of permanent protection areas (APP) and legal reserves of rural properties to the legislation in force. According to the current wording of the Forest Code, the deadline is December 31 of this year.
“In order for us to take advantage of everything we are competitive in, we have to show signs that this has already been settled, such as the Forest Code, which has been discussed for five years. This will open a Pandora’s box, because it will not be just one side speaking, but both sides. And so we will lose precious time, in which agriculture could be part of the new economy, which has the forest as an ally,” said Marina Grossi.
Agroclimatic Intelligence
Among the initiatives developed by CEBDS to insert agribusiness into the new economic context, Marina presented the Agroclimatic Intelligence (IAC) program. The main objective of the IAC is to use the land with the least possible impact, based on the valorization of new technologies, such as improved genetic material, improved crop management and precision agriculture.
In addition, the program also provides for benefits obtained through the payment of environmental services, valorization of natural capital, and structuring of the biotechnology chain that values the legal reserve, so that it is understood as a liability for the producer. According to a study by the Brazil Climate, Forests and Agriculture Coalition, of which CEBDS is a member, sustainable agriculture can generate 215,000 jobs, R$6.5 billion in taxes, and annual investments of up to R$3.7 billion by 2030.
Carbon Market
The president of CEBDS also mentioned the opportunities that Brazil would miss without regulating a carbon market. CEBDS prepared a proposal that takes into account the interests of 13 sectors of the Brazilian economy, presented last year to the Ministry of Finance, and which is now being evaluated by the Special Secretary of Economy of the current government, Carlos Alexandre da Costa.
“We have competitive advantages in this market because we have a clean energy matrix. Most countries are unable to meet their emissions reduction targets and we are able to offer commodities, such as our forests,” he says.
