Illegal cattle farming - Implications and possible actions by the European commission and Brazilian government

Mayan A.

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Illegal cattle farming - Implications and possible actions by the European commission and Brazilian government

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brazil, criminal offense, deforestation, resources, illegal activities, indigenous rights, agriculture, substitute products

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Abstract

The Amazon Forest is the world's largest tropical rainforest and is a vital ecosystem with a wide range of flora and fauna (WWF, n.d.). However, the Amazon Forest is under threat due to various anthropogenic activities, including illegal cattle farming which is a significant driver of deforestation in the Amazon Forest (Amnesty International, 2019). Furthermore, Brazil is the world's largest exporter of beef, with a substantial portion of its beef production coming from the Amazon (Zia et al., 2019) while much of this beef is produced illegally on land that has been illegally cleared from the Amazon Forest. Deforestation is linked to environmental problems, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, but as well to human rights violation, namely Indigenous Rights violation.
This policy brief aims to outline the key issues surrounding illegal cattle farming in the Amazon Forest and provide recommendations on how to address this problem to both the Brazilian Government and to the European Commission.
There are several challenges in addressing illegal cattle farming in the Amazon Forest. One of the primary challenges is the lack of effective law enforcement in the region. There is a high level of corruption in Brazil, which has allowed illegal cattle farmers to operate with impunity. Additionally, there is as lack of political will to enforce environmental regulations, as the beef industry is a significant contributor to Brazil's economy.

Introduction
Setting for the policy brief
1. EU-Mercosur agreement
2. The EU-Mercosur agreement, a public debate
3. Key messages
Understanding the (illegal) beef supply chain in Brazil
1. Case study: The Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau Indigenous peoples (UEWW)
2. Case study: JBS, a meatpacking company
Key recommendations

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[...] BBC. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210825-can-investors-save-the-amazon McCoy, T., Do Lago, C. (2023). The god of Sao Félix. Washington Post. URL: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2022/brazil-amazon-deforestation-politicians/ Oeschger, A. (2022, December 8). EU Paves Way for Landmark Deforestation-free Products Regulation. IISD. https://sdg.iisd.org/news/eu-paves-way-for-landmark-deforestation-free-products-regulation/ Paula, J. M. de. [...]

[...] Illegal cattle farming - Implications and possible actions by the European commission and Brazilian government Introduction The Amazon Forest is the world's largest tropical rainforest and is a vital ecosystem with a wide range of flora and fauna (WWF, n.d.). However, the Amazon Forest is under threat due to various anthropogenic activities, including illegal cattle farming which is a significant driver of deforestation in the Amazon Forest (Amnesty International, 2019). Furthermore, Brazil is the world's largest exporter of beef, with a substantial portion of its beef production coming from the Amazon (Zia et al., 2019) while much of this beef is produced illegally on land that has been illegally cleared from the Amazon Forest. [...]

[...] If people consume less beef, there will be less demand for it. This can lead to a decrease in the number of cattle that need to be raised, and therefore a decrease in the amount of land needed for cattle ranching. Also, it could help reduce the pressure on forests and other natural areas that are being cleared for cattle farming. Additionally, reducing beef consumption can increase the demand for alternative protein sources such as plant-based proteins and consequently, can help decrease illegal cattle farming. [...]

[...] Between 1980 and 1996, deforestation was a prerequisite for a land title or it was also possible to obtain ownership of a parcel by first occupying it. Additionally, if an individual could prove that their land was productive, then they could ask the government to recognise it as private property; the mere presence of cattle was enough to justify "productivity". This had led to large areas of low productivity. In addition to the dismissal of existing communities' land entitlements, land titles and registries were being falsified. [...]

[...] EU trade relations with Mercosur. Facts, figures and latest developments. European Commission. Retrieved on May 5th https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur_en Gibbs, H. K., et al (2016), Did ranchers and slaughterhouses respond to zero-deforestation agreements in the Brazilian Amazon?, Conservation Letters, vol issue pages 32 - 42 ILO. (2009). Representaion (article 24) - Brazil - c169 - 2009. ILO. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:50012:0::NO::P50012_COMPLAINT_PROCEDURE_ID,P50012_LANG_CODE:2507317,en Imazon (2011), "Policies to Develop Cattle Ranching in the Amazon without Deforestation", URL: https://amazonia2030.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pecuaria-barreto-ENG-formatado.pdf JBS Foods. (n.d.) Our Business. JBS Foods. Retrieved on May 8th https://jbsfoodsgroup.com/our-business#:~:text=%231%20Global%20Beef%20Producer,United%20States%2C%20Australia%20and%20Canada [HYPERLINK: https://jbsfoodsgroup.com/our-business]. [...]

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