Brazil has had no contact from Britain in relation to a trade deal, the Brazilian Minister for Agriculture, Blairo Maggi, confirmed to the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee this morning.
The Brazilian representative made the comments in response to questions from Irish MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan.
Flanagan said that the visit of the Brazilian Agriculture Minister could not be more timely in relation to Brexit.
In an effort to get full clarity on whether there had been any contact between Brazil and the UK, Flanagan asked the minister was Brazil talking to Britain about the prospect of a deal and vice-versa.
Minister Maggi confirmed that Brazil has made no contact with Britain on the issue of a trade deal. He also said that no one from the UK has come to Brazil to talk about a trade deal.
Changes do lead to opportunities. Brazil and Europe will have to see what these changes bring. We have not been in contact with the UK.
The minister did say that there was a meeting of 14 ministers at the last G20 summit, but there was no discussion of a trade deal at that time. He again said that the changes that are taking place will bring opportunities.
Also speaking at this morning’s Agriculture Committee was UK MEP Stuart Agnew, who said that the prospect of a deal between Brazil and the UK “strikes terror into the heart of every British farmer”.
“Brazil could wipe British agriculture off the map…[a deal] would give Brazil enormous political clout.”
Meanwhile, speaking in Davos earlier this month at the World Economic Forum UK Prime Minister Theresa May said that the UK has already started discussions on future trade ties with countries like Australia, New Zealand and India.
“Countries including China, Brazil, and the Gulf States have already expressed their interest in striking trade deals with us.”