Carrefour issues apology over comments on meat from Mercosur
Carrefour Group has issued a statement saying it is committed to "promoting sustainable and prosperous agriculture in both France and Brazil" after its comments on meat from Mercosur were rejected by producers and the government in Brazil.
The CEO of the French agri-business, Alexandre Bompard last week announced that the company has committed to not selling any meat from Mercosur countries Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, in France.
The CEO of Carrefour Group said the decision was made in solidarity to French farmers who strongly oppose the trade deal, which would allow an additional 99,000t of beef enter the EU tariff-free from Mercosur.
The French agri-business, which comprises a network of more than 14,000 stores in over 40 countries, said in a statement issued this week that it had "never set French agriculture against Brazilian agriculture".
The statement from Carrefour Group reads: "In France, Carrefour is the leading partner of French agriculture. We source almost all our French meat exclusively in France, and we will continue to do so.
"Carrefour France’s decision is not intended to alter the rules of a French market that is already largely structured around local supply chains. It is a legitimate way to reassure French farmers, who are in the midst of a severe crisis, of the sustainability of our support and our local purchasing."
Carrefour Group said that it sources the vast majority of its Brazilian meat in Brazil and will continue to do so, adding that it "appreciates" the "professionalism and commitment to the land and livestock" in the Brazilian agri-sector.
"We regret that our communication has been perceived as a questioning of our partnership with Brazilian agriculture or as criticism of it," according to Carrefour Group's statement.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Brazil (Mapa) said it officially received a letter from Bompard this week, clarifying his comments made last week.
The ministry said it is committed to "maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and sustainability in agri-business", adding that due to its "rigorous agricultural defense system", Brazil is the "world’s largest exporter of poultry and beef".
Mapa commended "the outstanding efforts of the Brazilian agricultural sector, including the proactive leadership of industry associations and their members, in delivering products of excellence to consumers in over 160 countries worldwide".
