Brazil's JBS accused of violating Amazon rainforest protection laws
Brazil's JBS accused of violating Amazon rainforest protection laws
March 31, 2017, 02:52:00 PM EDT By Reuters
By Anthony Boadle
BRASILIA, March 31
(Reuters) - The world's largest meatpacker, Brazil'sJBS SA <JBSS3.SA>, has for years knowingly bought cattle that were raised on illegally deforested land, turning a blind eye to regulations meant to protect the Amazon rainforest, Brazil's environmental regulator has alleged. The accusation comes even as JBS and other meatpackers in Brazil, the top global exporter of beef, are reeling from a corruption scandal. [nL2N1H41DO]
Police allege bribery of health inspectors to overlook unsanitary conditions and forgo inspections. [nL2N1H61HW] JBS has denied wrongdoing and sought to assure consumers that its products meet rigorous quality standards.
Earlier this month, the environmental agency, IBAMA, ordered the suspension of two JBS meat packing plants and 13 others in southwest Pará state for buying cattle raised on pastures cleared by slashing and burning the forest. It fined the company 24 million reais ($7.7 million). JBS denied purchasing livestock from ranchers on land blacklisted by IBAMA and won an injunction from a federal judge allowing its plants to continue buying cattle. The agency is appealing the ruling.
Brazilian authorities have long said cattle ranching is responsible for more destruction of the Amazon than any other activity. The world's largest rainforest is considered one of the best natural defenses against global warming.
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/brazils-jbs-accused-of-violating-amazon-rainforest-protection-laws-20170331-00854#ixzz4cxE5bt9c
Energy and environment:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1127109398
