São Paulo – The Sugarcane Industry Union (Unica) may resort to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ensure Brazilian ethanol exports to the United States and Europe. The president of the organization, Marcos Jank, stated today (26th) that biofuel import regulations in these countries may reduce the sales potential of Brazilian ethanol in develop nations.
Jank stated that sustainability-oriented calculations made in the United States and in European studies hold the sugar and ethanol industry indirectly accountable for the deforestation of Brazilian biomes. Based on such studies, Europeans and North Americans may create barriers on ethanol, claiming that its consumption is responsible for high emissions rates of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
He said, however, that 99% of sugarcane production in the country takes place in areas that were already used for either agriculture or cattle farming. Therefore, it is unfair to say that ethanol has an indirect effect on deforestation or that it has a high rate of greenhouse gas emission. Data from the Unica even show that the burning of ethanol from sugarcane emits 90% less has than the burning of gasoline.
"We must defend ourselves, "said Jank, after attending a seminar on agriculture and carbon dioxide. "We hope that the [export] regulations will be compatible. Otherwise, we are going to appeal to the WTO."
At the event, promoted by the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp) and the International Food & Agricultural Trade Policy Council (IPC), ways of measuring emissions of greenhouse gases in agriculture were discussed.
The vice president of the IPC, Marcelo Regunaga, stated that the agricultural sector also needs to collaborate in order to reduce gas emissions. He claimed that agriculture must also be held accountable for global warming. "We can no longer analyse food production from the perspective of calories and proteins alone. Emissions are important as well," he said.
The executive secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, José Gerardo Fontelles, agreed with Regunaga’s rationale and claimed that his government is committed to reducing emissions in rural activity as well. According to him, the Agricultura de Baixo Carbono (Arab Brazilian Chamber – Low-Carbon Agriculture) program provides for emissions in the sector to be reduced by around 38% by 2020. Agriculture currently accounts for 19% of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
