September 23, 2023 | Mongabay |
The European bill to ban imports of deforestation-linked commodities and other movements against illegal deforestation even made the powerful Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA) recognize the problem and propose a traceability model to the federal government.
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), a major financier of Brazilian cattle ranching, has announced that it will adopt a self-regulation protocol developed by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) to combat illegal deforestation. The protocol involves a traceability system for banks to track the origin of cattle and ensure compliance with environmental standards. The Febraban protocol aligns with the “Boi na Linha” program, a herd monitoring initiative that the Brazilian Association of Beef Exporters (ABIEC) has also adopted. The ABIEC program includes stricter socioenvironmental criteria for cattle purchases, aiming to prevent deforestation and ensure legal and sustainable practices. The Brazilian meat industry, including major players such as JBS, Minerva, and Marfrig, is working toward comprehensive traceability of the beef supply chain to address concerns related to illegal deforestation and environmental conservation. The integration of technology and collaboration across the industry are seen as crucial steps in promoting transparency and combating deforestation associated with cattle ranching in Brazil.