World’s Fourth Largest Cattle Beef Trader Takes Initiative to End Amazon Destruction

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World’s Fourth Largest Cattle Beef Trader Takes Initiative to End Amazon Destruction

by Ariel Schwartz in Climate Change/Global Warming, Meat

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Want proof that Greenpeace activist campaigns actually make a difference? Look no further than this week’s announcement from Marfrig, the world’s fourth largest beef trader, that it has put a moratorium on buying cattle raised in newly deforested areas in the Amazon.

Cattle Ranching in the Amazon

Greenpeace’s Slaughtering the Amazon campaign tied a slew of global firms to leather and meat from illegal farms in the Amazon. Among the companies named were Bertin, JBS, and yes, Marfrig. Instead of arguing the claim and risking the loss of clients, Marfrig chose to quickly take steps to end deforestation.

The beef trading giant is identifying farms guilty of deforestation with help from Blairo Maggi, the Governor of the Brazilian Amazon state of Mato Grosso. Maggi is pushing farmers to map their properties. Ultimately, satellite data of the forest cover will become available for companies to identify farmers engaging in illegal practices.

Marfrig’s moratorium was a smart move in more ways than one–the World Bank recently canceled a $90 million loan to Bertin because of its involvement in Amazon deforestation.

Now that the company has pledged to curb forest destruction, let’s hope other beef traders follow suit. According to Greenpeace, tropical deforestation accounts for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so it will take more than just Marfrig to make a difference.

[Via Greenpeace, Reuters]

Posted on Jun 24, 2009

Tags:

Beef, Cattle, Deforestation, environment, Greenpeace, marfrig

About the Author

Ariel Schwartz

Ariel Schwartz is the editor of Cleantechnica.com and writes for Fast Company, Inhabitat, Triple Pundit, SF Weekly, and NBC Bay Area Online. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

7 Responses to “World’s Fourth Largest Cattle Beef Trader Takes Initiative to End Amazon Destruction”

Patrick Connolly

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Jun 24, 2009

Not at all what I would’ve expected! This makes me happy.
Tyrone

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Jun 24, 2009

This is a really good idea. Hats off to the company for taking a positive step like that.
James Bramwell

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Jun 25, 2009

I think you meant to say a 90 Million dollar not 90 Billion dollar loan from the world bank?

“In a separate move, the World Bank said it will withdraw a $90m (£54.47m) loan to Bertin from its private lending arm, which Greenpeace says was used to expand activities in the Amazon.”

- from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/21/supermarket-suppliers-amazon-rainforest-deforestation

Great news regardless!
George

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Jun 25, 2009

Thats a great article. Thanks for sharing.
Shelley

Twitter: @gottogogreen
Jun 25, 2009

Fantastic! hope to see some more changes. Good job Greenpeace
Para

Jul 29, 2009

More like this, and we can all get some hope