The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MPLS), Blairo Maggi, lamented the decision of President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to merge this folder with that of the Environment. In a statement, the minister said that the merger “will bring losses to Brazilian agribusiness.”
Maggi argued that 66% of the country’s territory is preserved due to the action of Brazilian producers. The cost to maintain the environmental reserves in the properties is used by the minister in international trips to favor the national products in the global market.
Like the Environment Minister, who also spoke out against the merger, Maggi explained that the guidelines of the two ministries only converge on some points. “There are many important forums in which Brazil must mark its position, but it will not be possible for a minister to participate in all alone,” he recalled.
The Minister of Agriculture also considered that the Environment portfolio addresses several issues that are unrelated to the agro sector, such as energy, infrastructure, mining and oil, and stresses that it would be difficult to reconcile all issues under one command.
According to Agência Brasil, Maggi had already positioned himself against Bolsonaro’s intention during the second round of the elections. The then PSL candidate even signaled retreat, but on Tuesday (30), federal deputy Onyx Lorenzoni (DEM-RS), appointed to head the Civil House, reiterated the decision of the new government to merge the two portfolios. Minister Maggi regretted again the idea of the new government and issued a note during the trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he participates in the exhibition Agrispape.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.