A closer look at the Brazilian Social Fuel Seal: uptake, operation and dysfunctions. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marcossi, Gisele P. C.; Moreno-Pérez, Olga M.
• Is Part Of: Biofuels. Volume 9:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 429
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Brazil -- Social Fuel Seal -- family farmers -- biodiesel value chain; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; 662.8805
• DOI: 10.1080/17597269.2016.1274163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-7269

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Due to the increasing concerns about the social effects of biodiesel production in developing countries, the Brazilian government created the Social Fuel Seal (SFS) within the framework of the National Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB) launched in 2004. The SFS is a certification scheme awarded by the MDA/MDSA (Ministry of Agricultural Development/Ministry of Social and Agrarian Development), aimed at upgrading small farmers in the biodiesel value chain. In this article we discuss the institutional settings and explore the uptake, achievements and shortcomings of this political instrument in the light of the official data and the academic literature. Specific aspects of the practical implementation of SFS are examined upon the base of interviews conducted with different stakeholders in the state of São Paulo. Important dysfunctions in the overall operation of the SFS put into question the accomplishment of the social inclusion objective and awaken concerns about the sustainability of the role of family farmers in it.