Cecafé works to highlight existing laws and the leap in quality and sustainability, which provided for the social and environmental evolution of Brazilian coffees
To promote a reflection on global regulatory trends, their impact on the flow of the coffee trade, and how world associations are acting on this agenda. This is the objective of the panel “Global Coffee Associations”, on May 26, within the program of the 9th Coffee Dinner & Summit, held by the Council of Brazilian Coffee Exporters (Cecafé).
According to Marcos Matos, general director of the entity, one of the panelists at the event, which is sponsored by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), it is necessary, in view of the new regulations of the main consumer markets for Brazilian coffees, to provide the debate of the sector’s global entities and, as the largest producer and exporter, to express respect for the ESG criteria of national coffee growing.
“Sustainability is intrinsic to the Brazilian coffee activity and has been a pillar of Cecafé’s activities since its foundation, having been strengthened recently. Thus, we are leading the debates on regulatory trends, which have the European Union more advanced in their implementation, followed by the United States. Therefore, we will bring representatives of major industries and associations from Europe and North America, with which we have strong ties, to discuss how we can work together, in addition to the participation of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), which plays a key role in connecting producing and exporting countries”, he comments.
Cecafé’s director reveals that the intention of these discussions is to bring updates on the procedures regarding these regulations in the international scenario and, at the same time, to present the evolution of the Brazilian coffee industry, which already has the potential to meet all the new legal demands that emerge.
“We have intensified our actions to highlight the sustainability and respect for the criteria of social and environmental governance of the coffee activity in Brazil, showing the work done in the country, the existing legislation, and the leap in quality and sustainability, which have provided significant social and environmental evolution of our coffees in recent decades,” he notes.
He adds that, in Brazil, where there is coffee, there is preservation and respect for the environment, decent living conditions for producers and workers, and that advances in the segment are always welcome, as long as the arguments of all those involved are observed, from production to export.
“We are in favor that the world demands products with this sustainable responsibility and, for this reason, we work so that these new rules strengthen the sustainability process, more progress in the field, and do not result in social exclusion or losses,” he concludes.
William “Bill” Murray, president and CEO of the National Coffee Association (NCA), in the United States, who will also be a panelist at the event, reinforces the importance of giving due prominence to the world’s coffee growers. “All links depend on the global coffee supply chain. It is more important than ever that we work together to ensure that the emerging new regulations guarantee a growing and sustainable future for the industry.
The Secretary General of the Swiss Coffee Trade Association (SCTA), Michael Von Luehrte, adds that in order to deal with the increasing legislative pressure, the global coffee associations have agreed to coordinate the collection of messages, data, and facts to help educate the public and legislators about the complexities, problems, and efforts that exist to improve the livelihoods of producers.
“Without production, there is no trade or consumption, so all of us, private sector, civil society, academia, and governments, have to work together collaboratively to drive continuous improvement, paying special attention to climate change and food security,” he concludes.
In addition to Matos, Murray, and Von Luehrte, the “Global Coffee Associations” panel of the 9th Coffee Dinner & Summit will feature contributions by Eileen Gordon, Executive Secretary of the European Coffee Federation (ECF); Cyrille Janet, SCTA Vice President; Hannelore Beerlandt, European Commission consultant on global commodities, particularly coffee; and Vanusia Nogueira, ICO Executive Director.
COFFEE DINNER & SUMMIT
Organized by Cecafé, the event stands out as one of the main global forums of the coffee sector, bringing together, every two years, around a thousand people and leaders of all segments of Brazilian and world coffee growing to promote business prospection, create commercial opportunities, share experiences and network, bringing together agribusiness players and coffee lovers.
Under the theme “Production growth: its challenges and opportunities in times of ESG”, the ninth edition of the Coffee Dinner & Summit aims to promote debate and reflection on the economic, climatic, regulatory, and logistical challenges, and especially on the sustainable initiatives developed by Brazil and other coffee nations, which respect the criteria of socio-environmental governance.
ZERO CARBON EVENT
Honoring its pillar of action focused on socio-environmental responsibility, sustainability and food safety, Cecafé obtained the Green Seal from reforestation startup Ecooar Biodiversity to neutralize the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) with the 9th Coffee Dinner & Summit.
By calculating the carbon emissions generated during the two days of the event, the Council offset more than 2.5 tons of CO2 by planting native trees, contributing to the reforestation of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) at Fazenda Santa Emília, a coffee producer in Garça (SP), where the regeneration of the environment and the preservation of spring waters benefit, directly and indirectly, about one million people in the 62 cities in the region.
SERVICE
9º Coffee Dinner & Summit
Date: May 25 and 26, 2023
Place: Um Rooftop, São Paulo (SP)
More information: https://coffeedinner.com.br/
