Lawsuits in Brazil Claim Direct Ties Between Meatpackers and Deforestation on Protected Land

20 Dec, 2023

Lawsuits in Brazil Claim Direct Ties Between Meatpackers and Deforestation on Protected Land

Several meat processing giants, including JBS SA, are embroiled in lawsuits filed in Rondonia, Brazil, seeking significant environmental damages. Accused of purchasing cattle raised unlawfully in the protected Jaci-Parana area within the Brazilian Amazon, these lawsuits, spanning from December 5 to 12, highlight the exploitation of this once rainforest-turned-grassland due to prolonged misuse by land-grabbers, loggers, and ranchers.

The suits reveal startling evidence drawing attention from deforestation experts and those familiar with Brazil's illegal cattle trade: documents showing the direct transit of cows from protected regions to slaughterhouses, information purportedly provided by illegal ranchers themselves.

Jair Schmitt, chief of environmental protection at Ibama (Brazil’s federal environmental agency), expressed astonishment, noting the novelty of encountering transit permits with the name of a conservation unit. Out of the 17 lawsuits filed, three target JBS, in addition to farmers accused of selling 227 cattle raised in Jaci-Parana, seeking approximately $3.4 million for various offenses including invasion, exploitation, environmental damage, and economic advantage on protected lands.

JBS refrained from addressing queries, citing lack of court summons hindering analysis. Smaller meatpacking companies like Frigon, Distriboi, and Tangara also face accusations of environmental harm through cattle purchase from the reserve but did not respond to inquiries.

Frigon, tied to influential figures in Rondonia politics, allegedly procured nearly 1,400 cattle from eight illicit ranches. The state's attorney aims for $17.2 million in damages from Frigon and associated farmers.

Notably, both Frigon and the implicated JBS plants have exported meat to various countries, including the U.S., China, Hong Kong, Russia, Egypt, and others, according to Panjiva, a company tracking international trade using customs records.

The lawsuits endeavor to assign a value to the irreparable destruction of old-growth rainforest, estimating damages in the reserve at around $1 billion. However, it remains uncertain whether the numerous other invaders in Jaci-Parana will face similar legal action for compensation.