SUSTAINABILITY: ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF BRAZILIAN AGRIBUSINESS
ABOVE | Brazil’s tanneries are renowned around the world.
Brazil’s agribusiness sector makes up 23 per cent of the country’s Gross National Product, representing 48 per cent of the nation’s total exports and resulting in a commercial balance of US$72.5 billion annually. It’s a force that has been created through decades of research, the coming together of numerous sectors, and one very clear focus: sustainability.
When looking at sustainability as an indicator of competitiveness, effi ciency and control are fundamental in Brazilian agribusiness – especially because of the vast territory and abundant available natural resources in the country, both of which require management. None of the current positive results would be possible without legislation, projects, and the major efforts undertaken in the last few decades in having water, biomes, climate, fauna and fl ora protected and/ or maintained by some of the best practices in Brazil. In the livestock sphere, this
preoccupation has very well- established results that are recognized around the world: Brazil has the world’s largest commercial cattle herd and exports $5.5 billion in beef per year alone. Sustainable livestock farming has a major role in this positive scenario. The concept of
sustainable
livestock farming is becoming increasingly discussed by public power, the private sector, and society. Sustainable livestock
farming, which aims at socially fair, environmentally correct, and economically viable practices, counts on the Work Group of Sustainable Livestock Farming (GTPS). The group is composed of representatives of different segments that integrate Brazil’s chain of cattle livestock values among representatives of industries and organizations in the sector, livestock farmer associations, wholesalers, banks, civil society organizations, research centres, and universities. The Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) is a member of GTPS. For the CICB, sustainability is an issue of capital importance that’s directly related to the future of the industry. CICB supports the Brazilian Leather Sustainability Certifi cation (CSCB), which recognises businesses with the best practices in the pillars of environment, economy, and society. “The CSCB augments a a businesses’ commitment, and that of its entire team, with a defi ned method of working and improves the vision of both market and society,” affi rms Rafael Coelho, director of Curtume Moderno, in Petrolina (PE), one of the businesses involved in the certifi cation. Gilmar Harth, director of Couros Bom Retiro tannery, which is also involved in CSCB, highlights that one of the CSCB’s differentials is the method with which it was constructed – ‘made by the industry, for the industry’ – since the certifi cation was developed with contributions from tanneries, footwear producers, and others who use leather as a raw material, in addition to technological institutes, some governments, and universities. “Thus, the fundamental aspects for sustainable and responsible production were covered, strengthening the link with
clients,” he explained. He also mentions that sustainability has become increasingly important in the world leather market, and has an important impact on the decisions of importers. “International clients increasingly look for products from certifi ed companies. With the CSCB, we hope to achieve excellence in our processes and further guarantee to our clients that our products come from socially, economically, and sustainably conscious production,” he notes. The CSCB certifi cation programme counts on support from the Brazilian Leather project.
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