Brazil seeks to eliminate trade barriers for its ethanol, especially in the European market, with its National Commitment to Improve Labor Conditions in sugarcane production. The agreement among companies in the sugarcane industry, the government and labor unions covers 51 point, such as direct hiring of workers, eliminating the middleman (which tends toward illegal practices), better transportation and food. Sugarcane is the number one crop where production involves slave-like conditions.

The Commitment, presented Jun. 25 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is a step in the right direction, says Délcio Rodrigues, of the non-governmental Civilis Vitae Institute.

Although it is voluntary, the agreement could attract many companies because they have the resources to improve their practices and they want to respond to charges that are creating obstacles in the international cane alcohol market, Rodrigues told Tierramérica.