The agronegócio sector has achieved significant victories in the Congress over the past four years, with 19 projects approved and only one defeat. According to a survey, the sector’s powerful lobbying efforts have led to the approval of key projects, including the regulation of the tax reform and the flexibilization of environmental licensing rules.
The bancada ruralista, the largest bloc in Congress, has been instrumental in pushing through these projects, with the support of over half of the parliamentarians. They have been influential in the approval of projects such as the regulation of the tax reform.
One of the sector’s most significant victories was the regulation of the tax reform, which included the inclusion of animal proteins, such as meat and fish, in the Cesta Básica Nacional, a list of essential products with zero tariffs. The sector also prevailed in the dispute over the Imposto Seletivo (IS) for electric cars, with the law complementar addressing the competitive advantage of biofuel-powered vehicles.
In addition to these victories, the sector has also made gains in the analysis of vetoes, with the Congress overturning presidential vetoes on projects such as the isenção de Imposto sobre Bens e Serviços (IBS) and Contribuição sobre Bens e Serviços (CBS) for Fundos de Investimento Imobiliário (FII) and Fundos de Investimento nas Cadeias Produtivas Agroindustriais (Fiagro).
The sector’s influence can also be seen in the approval of the PL 2159/2021, which flexibilizes the environmental licensing rules.
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However, the sector has not been immune to defeats, with one notable example being the approval of the measure provisória (MP) on the minimum freight floor, which the sector opposed due to concerns about increased transportation costs. Additionally, the sector is facing a potential second defeat with the approval of the PEC that puts an end to the 6×1 scale, which the sector claims will increase production costs.
The president of the Frente Parlamentar da Agropecuária (FPA), deputado Pedro Lupion, has stated that the outcome of the presidential election will have an impact on the sector’s priorities. Lupion has also highlighted the importance of resolving issues such as debt renegotiation and security of tenure for the sector.
The FPA has a number of projects on its priority list, including the PL 8262/2017, which allows landowners to request police assistance to remove invaders from their property, and the PL 4432/2023, which creates a database to gather information on land invasions. These projects are currently being debated in Congress, with the sector pushing for their approval.
The sector’s victories in Congress have been significant, with 11 projects approved. However, the sector is still facing challenges, with a number of projects pending approval or facing opposition from other sectors.
