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An Analysis of the Brazilian Agroecological Commitment: the Effectiveness of Public Policies between 2015 and 2021

¹University Center Alves Faria, Law College, Brazil
²Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Nutrition, Brazil
³State University of Goiás, Law College (Southeast Campus: Morrinhos), Brazil

Abstract

Agroecology aims for quality production and a balanced ecosystem through the integrative participation of society through the reduced use of harmful products and strategies for handling and improving the soil. This practice of producing target to promote environmental preservation, social justice, cultural respect and economic viability. In 2018 Brazil received the silver award in the Future Policy Award, which rewards the best laws and policies in the world aimed at promoting agroecology, by the National Policy on Agroecology and Organic Production (PNAPO), instituted in 2012 (Decree nº 7.794/2012). The main instrument for this policy is the National Plan for Agroecology and Organic Production (Planapo) that was elaborated in the years 2016 and 2019. Through this promising record, it is questioned about the current Brazilian agroecological commitment. Thus, this research aimed to analyse the period 2015-2021, with a focus on the analysis of public policies related to agroecological production and the use of pesticides. Using the historical and dialogical method, based on the analysis of Planapo and its effectiveness, documentary research and indirect study of data were carried out to verify the performance of agroecological public policies. The legal and political initiatives that debate the release, use and impacts of pesticides, are opposed to the way of producing agroecology, especially in the last three years, with President Bolsonaro. It was inferred that there are constant budgetary reductions for the promotion of agroecology over the years, hampering (impeding) the execution of this sustainable productive model and increasing the vulnerability of farmers. In addition to a significant increase in the release of pesticides, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, increased from 139, in 2015, to 474, in 2020. Besides, the Brazilian State has a policy of tax incentives for pesticide use, since 1997 and remains, and currently is being confronted in the Federal Supreme Court through Direct Action of Unconstitutionality No. 5553, discussed at a slow pace. However, despite the Brazilian constitutional forecast of the ecologically balanced environment as a fundamental right, the dismantling of agroecological policies in Brazil is ongoing, therefore, research is still under development.

Keywords: Agroecology, pesticides, public policies, sustainable production

Contact Address: Thiago Henrique Costa Silva, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Law College, Avendida Virgilio Joaquim Ferreira, 74860615 Goias, Brazil, e-mail: thiagocostasilva.jurgmail.com