World’s biggest meat producers accused of buying cattle from Amazon deforesters
20 September 2019
An investigation performed by Repórter Brasil disclosed that Brazil-based and world’s largest meat producers JBS, Marfrig and Frigol have been buying cattle from ranchers associated with illegal deforestation of Amazon region and slave labor. The ranches concerned are located in Brazil’s Pará state, the region of Amazon currently suffering from ongoing fire outbreaks.
In response, all three companies argued that at the time of the purchase no incriminating data on cattle suppliers was publicly available. The investigation claims there is the link between deforestation for cattle pastures and forest fires in Amazon region. Further, Greenpeace reports that nine out of 10 fires in agribusiness areas occur on cattle pastures.