Minas Gerais, 11 March 2024. The Government of Minas Gerais, Brazil, through the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (SEAPA) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) presented to representatives of the AL-INVEST Verde programme the sustainable production of the main exported agricultural commodities and the Selo Verde MG Platformwhich is supported by Component 2 of this programme.

Selo Verde MG allows to verify the compliance of rural properties in Minas Gerais with the Forestry Code, as regards the coffee, forestry and soybean chains, whose export to the European Union is regulated by the Deforestation-free products regulation (EUDR) of the European Union.

During the meeting, the State of Minas Gerais assured that it is prepared to meet the requirements of the new European Union regulations. The Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Thales Fernandes, highlighted the importance of complying with the "no deforestation" criterion, guaranteed by the Selo verde MG platform.

"We are showing the sustainability of agriculture in Minas Gerais and in the country. The Selo Verde MG platform is available on the website of the State Forestry Institute (IEF), and the producer himself can check the information about his property through the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR)," he said.

"Our work aims to strengthening public policies in Latin America that promote sustainable production, especially in production chains traded with the EU. Brazil has very advanced legislation and we believe that a platform like Selo Verde can provide all the necessary information to meet EU requirements", said Andrea Monaco, Senior Programme Manager of AL-INVEST Verde.

Selo Verde MG

The Selo Verde MG platform is developed by the Department of Agriculture, the State Forest Institute (IEF) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). It is also supported by Component 2 of AL-INVEST Verde. This platform has demonstrated that the 99% of coffee properties in Minas Gerais are categorised as deforestation-free zones. since 2008, the base date stipulated by the Forest Code.

Regarding coffee, the Secretary of the Civil House of Minas Gerais, Marcelo Aro, stressed the importance of this chain for the state. "When we opened the Brazilian market to the rest of the world in the 19th century, Europe played a fundamental role in demanding slave-free products from Brazilian entrepreneurs. And once again, Minas Gerais and European countries are living a historic moment of concern for the environment, with the reduction of deforestation in productive areas. With Selo Verde, we are putting a suggestion on the table, showing the State's commitment and care for the environment", he said.

It has also been found that the 95% on soybean farms and the 93% on forested propertiesThe forests, mainly eucalyptus, are free of deforestation, respecting the native forests and turning the state into a showcase for the world for the sustainability of its production.

In this sense, the Undersecretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, Leonardo Rodrigues, highlighted that, in addition to all its features, the main function of Selo Verde MG is to combat deforestation. "It is a platform that has been expanding, which demonstrates the origin of the products and also allows us greater control over deforestation, which is a problem that causes global damage. Climate change is directly related to this," he stressed.

In the same vein, the director general of the State Forestry Institute, Breno Lasmar, highlighted the importance of the Selo Verde MG Platform for the role of the Minas Gerais government in biodiversity management. "We have the responsibility, together with UFMG, to ensure that the data is traceable, reliable and that we can guarantee clear action by the whole government to demonstrate its seriousness on the issue. Through this, we can guarantee to the productive sector and the whole market that the data has a significant amount of information, which will allow us to demonstrate the seriousness and security of this work," he said.