Internal disputes are likely to keep Ceará out of the leadership of Contag.

The National Confederation of Rural Workers, Farmers and Family Farmers (CONTAG) is expected to elect its new leadership during the 12th National Congress of Rural Workers, Farmers and Family Farmers – CNTTR, scheduled for March 13-17, 2017, in Brasília-DF. The Federation of Rural Workers, Farmers and Family Farmers of the State of Ceará (Fetraece) is expected to be excluded from the list of candidates for the new leadership. No agreement was reached regarding the name proposed by Fetraece to complete the list.

In protest against the exclusion of Ceará's representation, Fetraece released an Open Letter expressing its indignation. In the letter, Fetraece states that "it is in times when we shout 'Together We Are Stronger' that Ceará is banished, cast out, excluded from the next CONTAG leadership, which will be elected at the 12th National Congress of Rural Workers, Farmers and Family Farmers – CNTTR. To date, Ceará's representation in the CONTAG leadership has met expectations, acting in the various portfolios entrusted to this State. No one can take this certainty away from us. And it is precisely for this reason that we repudiate this process constructed within the CUT field."

According to the letter, Fetraece "initiated a discussion process two years ago, and due to unanimous agreement within the Board, the Regional offices, and the 183 unions, it made clear to this group its desire to maintain the name of comrade José Wilson de Sousa Gonçalves, representing Ceará in the Confederation's leadership. And with only a month separating us from the Congress, FETRAECE was forced to compose the slate with another name to be presented." 

The letter also expresses solidarity with the former leader of Contag. "To our comrade José Wilson, our solidarity and commitment to returning to his base." 

Deputy Moisés Braz, former president of Fetraece, also released a statement. "We stand in solidarity with our comrade José Wilson, who is unexpectedly returning to our Ceará. A return with the certainty that he contributed greatly to the national MSTTR. [...] We take this opportunity to congratulate the entire leadership of our Fetraece, which, even on the verge of losing political ground within Contag, remained firm in its position, having José Wilson nominated to join the new leadership of the Confederation."

Finally, we regret the stance of our CUT-affiliated colleagues who questionably conducted the Contag slate formation process, leaving Ceará, represented by our Fetraece, out of this space of representation, which it had occupied so well for so long," criticized state deputy Moisés Braz.

See the full text of Open Letter from Fetraece and Official Note by Congressman Moisés Braz