São Paulo, Sep 5 (EFE) – Uruguay’s foreign minister, Mario Lubetkin, has highlighted his country’s progress in certifying agricultural products to comply with the European Union’s new anti-deforestation regulation, which takes effect in December.
Speaking virtually on Thursday at the 3rd Latin American Green Economy Forum (FLEV), organized by Agencia EFE in São Paulo, Lubetkin pointed to “significant steps” in preparing Uruguay’s agricultural exports for the EU rules.
Platforms to certify sustainable production
Among the measures, he cited the creation of platforms to certify that products such as soy and beef do not come from deforested areas, in line with European trade requirements.
He stressed that the Uruguayan state itself is responsible for managing the certification process in order to avoid imposing “additional burdens” on exporters.
Lubetkin said the new system guarantees “transparency” for trade partners and positions Uruguay as a “reliable supplier for the world’s most demanding markets.”
“It is possible to produce high-quality food sustainably,” he said, while warning that environmental policies should not “compromise” global food security.
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Agriculture as an ally, not an enemy
According to Lubetkin, the agricultural sector is not an “enemy” of the environment but can be an “ally” when managed with “responsibility and long-term vision.”
Beyond agriculture, he also highlighted other Uruguayan initiatives, such as issuing the country’s first sovereign bonds tied to environmental indicators.
Uruguay’s role ahead of COP30
Looking ahead to the upcoming UN Climate Conference (COP30), to be held in November in Belém, Brazil, Lubetkin said Uruguay intends to “contribute actively” to achieving “effective solutions” to the environmental crisis.
Forum sponsors
The 3rd FLEV is sponsored by:
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ApexBrasil, Brazil’s trade and investment promotion agency.
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Norte Energia, operator of the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant.
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Lots Group, a logistics company providing decarbonization solutions.
It is also supported by Imaflora, the Climate Observatory, and IBMEC University, which is hosting the event at its São Paulo campus. EFE