On Wednesday (10/01), the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, and the Minister of Agricultural Development, Paulo Teixeira, presented the text of the decree that restructures the social biofuel stamp and creates investments in agribusiness and the agricultural sector. Brazilian fuel. Linked to measures to bring the blend of biodiesel and fossil derivatives to 14% (B14), as of April 2024, investments worth R$ 740 million are expected this year. As of 2025, this value will amount to R$1.6 billion. The Seal Change Initiative is an important tool to promote family farming, especially in the northern, northeastern and semi-arid regions of Brazil, as well as northern Minas and the Jequitinhonha Valley.
If compared to 2022 data, the number of registered families is estimated to grow by 120% this year, with expectations of further growth. This increase is a direct reflection of the increase in the blending ratio of biodiesel, set by the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) at its 2023 meetings. From March onwards, the blending ratio will rise from 12% to 14%. An increase that would generate an increase in soybean processing for biodiesel production of 3.05 million tons, ensuring increased demand for the product by small farmers and tax incentives for those who produce biofuel.
During the event, Alexandre Silveira recalled the creation, 19 years ago, of the National Program for the Production and Utilization of Biodiesel (PNPB) by President Lula and evaluated the results of this policy in the Brazilian fuel matrix.
“During this period, biodiesel represents much more than just energy security and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation matrix. It also represents employment and income opportunities, extending to family farming in the biodiesel production chain. The Social Biodiesel Stamp is an essential tool , which “has already ensured the participation of more than 54 thousand family farmers in the biodiesel production chain. Today, President Lula is driving important progress in biodiesel policy. The proposed new stamp decree represents an important step in the process of restructuring the social biofuel stamp,” highlighted Silveira.
The new text brings more transparency and strengthens the requirements for the instrument to be granted and maintained by biofuel producers. It also expands the range of options and producers and encourages the production of new crops, such as macauba, a palm tree abundant in northeastern Brazil.
Under the new decree, local agricultural occupations are benefited, with a consequent improvement in income and quality of life of people dependent on family farming in the most vulnerable areas of the country, making it possible to attract investments and create jobs and income at the local production scale.
“Today is a historic day. The social seal guarantees that half of the purchase of products for the production of biodiesel will come from family farming. The issue of biodiesel cannot compete with food. It is about promoting and generating clean energy and providing food sovereignty for our people,” the minister said, adding that one The challenge of the partnership is the nationalization of the programme. “The North-East has important production, and the North does too, and this seal will require decentralization of this production, and linking it to manufacturing operations. The idea is to encourage existing companies or develop companies that produce biodiesel. Paulo Teixeira concluded that Brazil intends to continue to lead the clean energy cause.
“President Lula has shown commitment, since taking office, to agendas that seek to achieve the country’s sustainable development in all its three pillars: environmental, economic and social. In 2023, he was keen to participate and contribute to two meetings of the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) and also led the largest event This year in the Palacio do Planalto, where he sent the draft Fuel Fuel Bill to the National Congress. And now, he shows deep sensitivity towards family farmers by improving, with even more benefits, the social biofuel stamp,” said Alexandre Silveira.
The expansion of the use of biodiesel in the energy matrix adds to the anticipated efforts in fuels of the future. Both initiatives seek to enable equitable sustainable mobility and reduce carbon intensity using more diverse technological methods and raw materials.
