JBS Accused of Complicity in Amazon Deforestation and Human Rights Abuses
The world’s largest meat producer, JBS, is facing serious allegations of contributing to illegal deforestation, land grabs, and human rights violations in the Brazilian Amazon. A recent investigation by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed that the company sources cattle from ranches operating within protected areas, raising significant concerns about its supply chain practices.
A Troubling Report
On Wednesday, HRW released an extensive 86-page report focusing on the state of Pará, which is set to host the United Nations’ COP30 climate change summit next month. The report underscores a critical gap in JBS’s supply chain management: the company reportedly fails to track its indirect cattle suppliers effectively. This oversight allows cattle raised on illegally deforested land to enter the supply chain through a “laundering” system that obscures their origins before reaching JBS facilities.
Luciana Téllez, a senior environment researcher at HRW, emphasized the implications of this lack of traceability. “Without a robust system for tracing livestock, JBS will continue to be unable to root out illegal cattle ranches,” she stated. The inability to guarantee that its beef and leather products are free from deforestation-related abuses raises ethical questions about the company’s operations.
The Deforestation Crisis in Pará
The report highlights Pará as a critical battleground in the fight against deforestation. Since 2016, the state has consistently recorded the highest levels of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. In 2024 alone, approximately 17,195 square kilometers (6,639 square miles) of forest were degraded, marking a staggering 421% increase from the previous year. This alarming trend is largely attributed to cattle ranching, which has emerged as a primary driver of deforestation in the region.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of illegal ranchers and criminal groups that invade protected lands, leading to violent land conflicts. Indigenous and traditional communities, who have lived in harmony with the Amazon for generations, are particularly vulnerable. Many have faced threats, violence, and displacement as they resist these encroachments.
The Role of Government Agencies
The report also implicates Pará’s state animal health agency, Adepará, in facilitating illegal ranching activities. According to HRW, Adepará has registered ranches within protected areas and authorized the movement of cattle in and out of these zones. Despite federal laws prohibiting such activities, some land-grabbers have managed to fraudulently register protected rainforest as private property.
Téllez described the level of violence and intimidation faced by communities in these areas as “truly frightening.” The report documented encroachments in two protected regions: the Cachoeira Seca Indigenous territory and the Terra Nossa sustainable development area. The complicity of state agencies in these illegal activities raises questions about regulatory oversight and accountability.
The Traceability Challenge
One of the core issues identified in the HRW report is Brazil’s inadequate system for tracking livestock. Currently, the country relies on “animal transit permits” (GTAs) that document the movement of cattle in groups rather than individually. This lack of detailed tracking makes it nearly impossible to trace the origins of individual animals, allowing illegal cattle to enter the supply chain undetected.
In a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, JBS acknowledged the limitations of the GTA system, stating, “As a result, there can be no assurance that available monitoring procedures can ensure that the origin of any head of cattle was in full compliance with applicable laws.” The company has pledged to require its suppliers to declare their sources by 2026, but HRW questions the feasibility of verifying this information.
Historical Context and Corporate Accountability
The challenges facing JBS are not new. In 2009, the company signed the G4 Cattle Agreement with Greenpeace, committing to identify all its indirect suppliers by 2011. However, it failed to meet this deadline, raising concerns about the effectiveness of voluntary corporate commitments. Cristiane Mazzetti, a forest campaign coordinator at Greenpeace Brazil, criticized the lack of accountability, stating, “It’s unacceptable that companies such as JBS have not fulfilled the promises that they made in the past.”
The historical context of deforestation in the Amazon is crucial to understanding the current crisis. The region has long been a target for agricultural expansion, with cattle ranching emerging as a leading cause of deforestation. The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” plays a vital role in regulating the global climate. Its destruction not only threatens biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change.
Regulatory Failures and Future Prospects
Despite the grim outlook, there are signs of potential reform. In 2023, Pará’s governor introduced a decree mandating that all animal movements in the state be fully traceable by the end of 2026. At the federal level, the Ministry of Agriculture announced a similar initiative in December 2024, requiring all states to implement tracking systems by 2032. However, HRW warns that this timeline is too slow and could allow illegal ranching to persist for years.
Experts argue that immediate action is necessary to combat illegal activities. Making GTA data publicly accessible could empower law enforcement agencies to identify fraudulent movements and trace cattle back to illegal ranches. Lisandro Inakake, an agronomist with the Brazilian environmental nonprofit Imaflora, noted that companies struggle with traceability due to limited access to public data and the absence of universal market requirements.
Conclusion
The allegations against JBS highlight a complex web of environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and regulatory failures in the Brazilian Amazon. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, the role of major corporations in contributing to deforestation cannot be overlooked. The upcoming COP30 summit presents an opportunity for global leaders to address these issues and hold companies accountable for their impact on the environment and local communities. The time for promises has passed; decisive action is needed to protect the Amazon and its inhabitants.
