Mr. Chairman,

Brazil thanks Burkina Faso for the initiative to propose a World Pulses Day. As highlighted in the presentation, pulses are the cheapest source of protein, have fast growing and less environmental impact.

They are important food crops for the food security of large proportions of populations, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Asia, where pulses are part of traditional diets and often grown by family farmers. In Brazil, beans are a highly important staple food and an essential ingredient of our traditional cuisine.

An increased consumption of pulses would benefit developing and developed countries alike. There is enough room to increase production, consumption and trade of pulses both in Northern and Southern Hemispheres, while raising income-generation to smallholders and family farmers.

While the poor need pulses to overcome hunger, others could take them to address different forms of malnutrition, including overweight and obesity. In this regard, facilitate access to market is key to take most of the social, environmental and economic benefits of pulses.

Mr. Chairman,

Make pulses better known worldwide is our duty. As a big producer and consumer of beans, Brazil integrated the Steering Committee of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) and could testify the competent work done by FAO to promote them. To continue the legacy of IYP-2016, Brazil endorses the proposal to observe a World Day on Pulses on 10th February, as presented by Burkina Faso.

Thank you.
Roberta Lima
Representante Alterna do Brasil junto à FAO, FIDA e PMA Alternate Permanent Representative of Brazil to FAO, IFAD and WFP

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E-mail: rebrasfao@itamaraty.gov.br , roberta.lima@itamaraty.gov.br