【环球财经】巴西反垄断机构暂停“大豆休耕协定”并启动调查

Core Points - The Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) announced the suspension of the "Soybean Moratorium" and initiated an administrative investigation against participating companies and industry associations [1][2] - The Soybean Moratorium, signed nearly two decades ago, prohibits the purchase of soybeans produced on deforested land in the Amazon since 2008, even if the deforestation complies with national laws [1] - The moratorium was seen by traders as a means to curb deforestation and maintain Brazil's environmental image internationally, while producers criticized it as anti-competitive and detrimental to lawful farmers [1] - Cade's investigation suggests that companies involved may have engaged in anti-competitive practices by monitoring the market and setting procurement conditions, potentially affecting exports [1] - If found guilty, companies could face fines ranging from 500,000 to 2 billion Brazilian Reais [1] Industry Reactions - The Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Producers Association (Aprosoja-MT) hailed the decision as a "historic milestone" that protects the competitive rights of legal producers [2] - The Brazilian Vegetable Oil Industry Association (Abiove) expressed surprise at Cade's decision, noting that the moratorium had previously received recognition from the Ministry of Environment and the National Institute for Environment and Natural Resources [2] - Cade is a federal agency under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, aimed at guiding, monitoring, preventing, and investigating the abuse of economic power [2]