The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) celebrated the announcement by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce (MDIC) about the first export from Brazil with the new Digital Certificate of Origin, according to a press release from the association. The process establishes new levels of time optimisation and reduces bureaucracy for Brazilian exports destined for the European Union.

The new process replaces the old procedures, which included paper requests, bureaucratic procedures and the cost of R$166 per certificate. With electronic certification, there is no cost in issuing the certificate, which is carried out and processed almost instantly, removing the need for 10 working days to complete the issuance of certificates.

“We have entered a new era in export processes. Now, in addition to optimising time, reducing bureaucracy and paper, we have a reduction in costs that go beyond certification values ​​and reach the entire clearance and export process," said Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA. "This is an unprecedented advance in our competitive capacity, a direct result of the work of vice-president and minister Geraldo Alckmin, as well as the team at the Foreign Trade Secretariat led by Tatiana Prazeres."

The new certification follows the same model established with the UK one year ago. According to ABPA's markets director, Luís Rua, the optimization of processes gave companies greater capacity to plan export processes, also allowing for better competitiveness and lower costs.

“After these 12 months since the implementation of certification with the United Kingdom and the evaluation of the positive impacts generated directly, we are certain that we will have solid gains in shipments to the European Union after this important achievement of the MDIC for Brazil," Rua said.