Vice President Hamilton Mourão (PRTB) said on Wednesday (16) that he will take, in late October, ambassadors from countries that criticize Brazilian environmental policy on a trip to the Amazon.
"We are planning that trip to the Amazon. It will be done at the end of October. It is not just European ambassadors. In order not to be biased, you will have to go elsewhere," said Mourão.
On Tuesday (15), eight European countries - Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Holland, Norway, United Kingdom, and Belgium - sent a letter to the vice president saying that the increase in deforestation makes it difficult for consumers to buy Brazilian products of the continent.
"While European efforts are looking for supply chains not linked to deforestation, the current growing trend of deforestation in Brazil is making it increasingly difficult for companies and investors to meet their environmental, social and governance criteria," says an excerpt from the letter signed by the members the Amsterdam Declaration Partnership and Belgium.
According to the document, commercial agents are looking for corporate strategies that reflect "a legitimate European interest in food and other products made in a fair, environmentally appropriate and sustainable way".
The letter adds to previous demonstrations such as letters from foreign investors and former Central Bank presidents.
In the morning, Mourão met with ministers Tereza Cristina (Agriculture) and Ricardo Salles (Environment) and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary-general, ambassador Otávio Brandelli to discuss a reaction to the manifestation of European countries.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon