The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) was the target of two critical demonstrations last week. The first was issued by Sinpaf (National Union of Workers in Agricultural Research and Development) and deals with the repudiation of prejudiced and misogynistic statements that would be being issued in relation to names that have been indicated for the composition of the new board and the company’s board .
The note denounces the attempt to interfere in these indications and resistance to the new management model by people and sectors that helped sustain the previous government, defeated at the polls, putting at risk the very alignment of the research under development or to be developed towards the priority focus of the new government.
:: Dossier shows the agrarian face of terror in Brazil, from 1964 to January 8, 2023 ::
Check out an excerpt from the note:
“(…) faced with this scenario of unjustified, misogynistic and disrespectful attacks, we at Sinpaf’s National Directorate could not fail to repudiate this conduct. and indicated, but the change in the direction of Embrapa’s research. The fact that the current government directs efforts to combat hunger and the inclusion of indigenous peoples, family farmers, land reform settlers and quilombolas in public policies will always bother this minority that thinks it owns what is public. We defend that Brazilian agricultural research produces technology for the entire Brazilian agricultural sector, and not for a privileged and wealthy few. We also defend that the selection process of directors is transparent and aligned with the strategic guidelines of President Lula’s new government. Natural management changes, as it is a prerogative of those who won the elections.”
The full statement can be found on the Sinpaf website.
Servers demand greater agility from the government
On the other hand, a group of more than 50 civil servants – composed essentially of researchers with a long career in the company, with relevant services provided in favor of agricultural research in the country – published a note demanding greater agility from the government in reformulating the board and the council , which – according to the note – remain under the control of sectors of agribusiness linked to Bolsonarism. They cite the circulation of “an apocryphal, pamphleteer and criminal text”, which would be using fake news and even sexism to disqualify, defame and destroy the reputations of candidates for directors for being aligned with the guidelines of the current government.
Check out an excerpt from this text:
“President Lula configured his Ministries in such a way that the federal institutional matrix was in line with the Guidelines of his Government, such as family farming, agrobiodiversity, food sovereignty and the fight against hunger. of the Minister of MAPA, the ultra-right embedded in the institution articulated with Consad to make the nomination of candidates for Directors unfeasible, aiming at maintaining the status quo in public agricultural technoscience. (…) Bolsonaristas at Embrapa and Consad fear the new Board. For the first time, the Presidency of the institution is occupied by a Researcher, and two more women are candidates for Directors. (…) Do the President, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the STF know that the 08/01 /23 Isn’t it over yet? It just knocked on Embrapa’s door and threatens to keep it without adherence to government guidelines. “
The full text of this note and its subscribers is published on the Soberania Network website.
Position of Embrapa and Consad
The report from Brasil de Fato RS contacted Embrapa’s press office and asked about the notes issued by Sinpaf and the group of servers. The message sent by the Superintendence of Communication states that “the processes of evaluation and selection of candidates for the Executive Board of Embrapa are under the responsibility of its Board of Directors (Consad)”.
The message also indicates the position set out by Consad on 05/13/23, published on the Embrapa website, as the last public update on the subject. Since Consad’s positioning took place before the issuance of critical notes by Sinpaf and the group of public servants, the BdFRS he insisted again for a new position, which until the closing of this article had not yet been exposed. The space remains available for updating.
Source: BdF Rio Grande do Sul
Editing: Katia Marko
