Brazilian authorities investigating illegal deforestation have accused the suppliers of several UK supermarkets of selling meat linked to massive destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Brazilian firms that supply Tesco, Asda and Marks & Spencer are among dozens of companies named by prosecutors, who are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation.
The move follows a three-year investigation by Greenpeace into the trade in cattle products such as meat and leather traced to illegal farms across the Amazon region. The Greenpeace report showed that a handful of major Brazilian processors exported products linked to Amazon destruction to dozens of blue-chip companies across the world.
‘DESTRUCTIVE CHAIN’
Daniel Cesar Avelino, the public prosecutor handling the cases, brought by Brazil’s public prosecution office (MPF), said: “We know that the single biggest driver of deforestation in the Amazon is cattle. We want all companies who are part of this destructive economic chain to be responsible for their economic crimes.”
The MPF has started legal action against 21 farms and slaughterhouse companies, including Bertin, which supplies Tesco and Princes Food with processed beef. The MPF said the Brazilian companies could be to blame for deforestation across 150,000 hectares. It is seeking £630 million in compensation for “environmental crimes against Brazilian society.”
Bertin said it was “analyzing the content of the [legal] action to respond later.”
The MPF also warned 69 other firms said to have bought products associated with illegal deforestation, including JBS, which supplies Princes Foods, Asda and M&S.
RESPONSE
JBS would not comment. Several supermarkets in Brazil, including Wal-Mart, have already banned beef from deforested areas.
John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace, said: “Major supermarkets in Brazil have promised action to remove Amazon beef and leather from their stores, and now it’s time that UK companies did the same ... we need to see British firms canceling contracts with suppliers who are implicated in Amazon deforestation.”
The UK supermarkets said the beef did not come from the Amazon. Tesco and M&S said they had received assurances from their suppliers. Asda said it was sending inspectors to Brazil.
Princes Foods said: “We have contacted both suppliers to discuss the claims in detail, and they are liaising directly with Greenpeace. We will monitor the outcome of these discussions closely.”
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