Brazil’s Parliamentary Agricultural Front (FPA) is seeking a meeting with Finance Minister Dario Durigan to advance negotiations on a provisional measure addressing rural debt. FPA president Pedro Lupion said the meeting is expected by Wednesday, Nov. 4, and is also set to include Senator Tereza Cristina and Senator Renan Calheiros, who chairs the measure’s joint congressional committee.
The caucus is looking for changes to the measure before it expires on Nov. 11. In September, FPA members submitted 29 amendments proposing broader eligibility and repayment terms, as well as lower interest rates. None was approved by the committee’s leadership.
Lupion has said the caucus struggled to resume talks with Calheiros and the measure’s rapporteur, Paulo Pimenta. The FPA hopes that involving the executive branch will encourage the committee chair to schedule a session and restart negotiations. If the talks do not produce a positive signal, the caucus is considering submitting a separate report drafted by lawmaker Zé Vitor.
Among the FPA’s requested changes are extending eligibility to producers who suffered financial losses of at least 30% in one or more harvests, rather than requiring losses across at least two harvests, and covering debts that became overdue through September 2026. The current measure covers debts overdue through Aug. 31. The caucus also wants producers to be able to use collateral already tied to debts, along with lower interest rates, a stronger guarantee fund and longer repayment periods.
Sources: CNN Brasil.