The Institute of Agricultural Economics (IEA-APTA) of São Paulo, linked to the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply, and AL-INVEST Verde will jointly strengthen the Rotas Rurais programme. This initiative seeks to improving traceability and transparency in production chains for the fulfilment of the European Union regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR)).
São Paulo is the only Brazilian state that produces all seven raw materials included in the EUDR. Therefore, the cooperation between the IEA and AL-INVEST Verde aims to ensure that small and medium-sized producers, as well as traditional communities, have the information and tools to adapt to the new requirements.
For Priscilla Fagundes, coordinator of Rotas Rurais and the IEA, the partnership will expand the programme's capacities. “Rotas Rurais created a traceability platform that now, with the support of the European Union through AL-INVEST Verde, will allow us to to guide São Paulo producers on how to move towards more sustainable production”he pointed out.
Andrea Monaco, head of AL-INVEST Verde, stressed that the partnership will strengthen existing traceability tools in São Paulo, both public and private. “We will integrate the information required by the EUDR to ensure that products can be placed on the market”He said to underline the strategic role of the state. “São Paulo produces all the goods affected by the European regulation. Supporting and ensuring the continuity of the trade flow between Brazil and the European Union is fundamental”, he said.
The cooperation includes several lines of work. Among them, the mapping of municipalities most exposed to EUDR requirements, the articulation of Rotas Rurais with other traceability initiatives and the development of communication, awareness and training campaigns.
Implemented by the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply through the IEA, the Rotas Rurais programme created a digital rural addressing system based on Google Maps technology. The tool makes it possible to accurately identify the entrance to each property and generate a location code that can be easily shared. This facilitates essential services such as security, health and logistics, as well as improving the integration of producers into more transparent and sustainable supply chains.
About AL-INVEST Verde
AL-INVEST Verde is a European Union (EU) programme whose main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 2, led by FIAP in consortium with IILA, the programme provides assistance for strengthening public policies and multi-stakeholder dialogues on sustainable agricultural and value chains, environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainable trade and economic policy and regulatory frameworks.