Beef Trade Concerns: Campaigners Highlight Dangers to Brazil’s Cerrado Ecosystem
Illegal deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado, linked to beef production by major meatpackers JBS, Minerva, and Marfrig, threatens the unique savannah ecosystem, as revealed by a Global Witness investigation. The Cerrado, home to 5% of Earth’s species and crucial for climate regulation, lacks protections compared to the nearby Amazon. Approximately 50% of farms supplying the meatpackers in one Cerrado region engaged in tree-cutting, indicating potential environmental violations.
While the Amazon’s deforestation rate decreased, the Cerrado experienced a 43% surge in the last year. The upcoming EU law targeting deforestation-linked imports excludes much of the Cerrado, as it isn’t classified as a forest under current legislation. Global Witness found that the three meatpackers—JBS, Minerva, and Marfrig—claim compliance with local laws.
The Cerrado, often referred to as a “grassland paradise” by Sir David Attenborough, spans almost a fifth of Brazil and holds immense biodiversity. However, extensive deforestation for agriculture and mining, particularly in Mato Grosso, exposes the role of the cattle trade in driving illegal deforestation.
Global Witness estimates that between 2008 and 2019, an area larger than Chicago within ranches supplying the three meat firms suffered deforestation in Mato Grosso. Farms within the Cerrado experienced 42% deforestation, with only 1% covered by state permits, suggesting widespread illegality. The investigation focused on Mato Grosso, where the three meatpackers operate and collectively generated over $98.15 billion in 2022.
Marfrig and JBS asserted adherence to Brazilian Federal Prosecutor’s deforestation rules, with JBS removing non-compliant farms. Minerva denied illegal deforestation in its supply chains. Addressing Cerrado deforestation is challenging due to state-level regulations, as stated by Brazilian officials.
Beyond environmental impact, deforestation endangers Cerrado’s diverse wildlife, exemplified by the plight of the rare maned wolf featured in Planet Earth III. As China receives most beef from Mato Grosso, future EU regulations restricting products linked to deforestation abroad, including the Amazon, may not fully cover the Cerrado, requiring a careful review to ensure comprehensive protection. The study underscores the need for increased transparency and accountability in addressing deforestation issues.
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