COMPLIANCE IN THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT: THE CASE OF THE COVENANT FOR INTEGRITY IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND SUPPLY

Abstract

It is the process of implementing anticorruption compliance policies in the Brazilian Federal government, focusing not only on the legal milestones and regulations, but also on the tactical and operational challenges to implement initiatives, under the qualitative and descriptive context, taking as a background the publication of the Anti-Corruption Law (Law No. 12.846/2013), the federal programs to promote the implementation of integrity policies, and also  the running integrity program at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (“MAPA”), so-called  “Agro +” Integrity Program. It was developed as a consequence of corruption that was installed in the agribusiness sector.  Recently, the Operation “Carne Fraca”. It was also important to mention the creation of the “Agro +” Integrity Seal, as an unprecedented sectorial award from the Federal Government aimed at recognizing the efforts of agribusiness companies. Inserting this practice of external promotion into the Integrity Plan of a public entity of the Brazilian Federal government, despite challenging, is the opportunity to demonstrate how this tool can contribute to minimize the risks of corruption and misconduct, internally and externally to the government agency, and serve as a good example for other public agencies. However, it is also necessary to insert and evolve this new culture of good practices within institutions, creating an effective channel for exchanging experience in order to avoid harmful damages that can jeopardize the image of public and private institutions in the national and international markets.