Regulation of Organic Production in Brazil: Notes for its Adaptation to Participatory Guarantee Systems

Abstract

Objective: analyze the process of public regulation of organic production in Brazil, with a focus on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and Social Control Organizations (SCO). Method: The research employed document analysis of reports produced by civil society organizations, content analysis of two webinários on the subject, and conducted 12 interviews with representatives of Brazilian PGSs. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework encompasses regulations and documents related to organic certification, agroecology, and social construction spaces, as well as current studies on PGS and participatory certification. Results and conclusion: The results presented in this work are part of the research project “Sistemas de confianza, producción ecológica y garantía. Innovaciones sociales al sello oficial en el contexto de los canales cortos de comercialización” developed by the University of Córdoba, Spain, in partnership with a team from the Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil. It is noteworthy that the excess of records, notes and regulatory controls hinder the inclusion and participation of peasants and farmers in organic quality assurance processes. Research implications: This discussion aims to contribute both to an expanded understanding of the social processes established for the regulation of organic production and to provide insights for the reformulation of current regulations in the country. Originality/value: A revision of the methods of verification, traceability, and social control is necessary, adapting them to the diverse socio-cultural realities existing in Brazil.