SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Meat manufacturers in Brazil have stopped supplying the local subsidiary of Carrefour, the latter said on Monday, after the announcement on Wednesday by the CEO of the French group Alexandre Bompard that it would not market in France no meat from Mercosur in support of French farmers.
“Unfortunately, the decision to suspend meat deliveries has an impact on our customers, particularly those who trust us to provide their homes with quality and responsible products,” Carrefour Brazil said in a statement.
Alexandre Bompard declared on Wednesday that the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, ran the “risk of spillover onto the French market of meat production not not respecting its requirements and standards.
“Carrefour wants to form a united front with the agricultural world and is today making a commitment not to market any meat from Mercosur,” he added.
These comments were strongly criticized by companies in the Brazilian agri-food sector, who denounced in a joint press release “a protectionist posture”.
Brazilian media began reporting on Friday that meat manufacturers such as JBS and Marfrig had stopped supplying Carrefour Brazil stores.
No company cited has confirmed this initiative.
Carrefour Brazil said on Monday it was seeking to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and stressed that there was no shortage of meat in its stores at this stage.
The Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Favaro, said Monday he was satisfied with the initiative of the meat industry, after saying he saw in Carrefour’s announcement last week an “orchestrated action” on the part of French companies to sabotage trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur.
The Brazilian subsidiary represented around 20% of Carrefour’s total sales in the third quarter, according to group figures.
(Andre Romani and Roberto Samora in Sao Paulo; with Alberto Alerigi Jr, French version Bertrand Boucey)
To what extent does Carrefour’s decision to refrain from selling Mercosur meat in France reflect broader concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the meat industry, and how might these concerns influence future trade negotiations?
## World Today News: Impact of Meat Trade Dispute on Carrefour Brazil
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the recent controversy surrounding Carrefour, the French retail giant, and its Brazilian meat suppliers in the context of the ongoing EU- Mercosur free trade agreement negotiations. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name], a leading expert in international trade, and [Guest 2 Name], a representative from the Brazilian meat industry association.
**Section 1: Carrefour’s Decision & Its Implications**
**Host:** [Guest 1 Name], let’s start with Carrefour’s announcement to refrain from selling Mercosur meat in France. What prompted this decision?
**[Guest 1 Name]:**
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], how has the Brazilian meat industry reacted to Carrefour’s decision? The article mentions a “protectionist posture” being denounced. Could you elaborate on this?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Host:** How do you think this decision impacts Brazilian farmers specifically?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Section 2: Trade Talks & Geopolitical Tensions**
**Host:** [Guest 1 Name], the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement has been a contentious topic for years. What are the key sticking points from both sides, and how might Carrefour’s move complicate things further?
**[Guest 1 Name]:**
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], the Brazilian government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Carrefour’s move. How do you see this playing out in the broader political landscape between Brazil and France, or even the EU?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Section 3: Consumer Impact & Long-Term Solutions**
**Host:** [Guest 1 Name], what could be the long-term consequences for both Brazilian and French consumers in this situation? Can both sides win in this scenario?
**[Guest 1 Name]:**
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], what steps can be taken to de-escalate this situation and ultimately find a solution that benefits all stakeholders: consumers, producers, and governments?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Host:** Thank you both for your valuable insights into this complex situation. We encourage our viewers to stay informed about developments in this issue and its potential global ramifications.
