Wed Oct 15 13:18:36 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report alleging that JBS, the world’s largest meat company, is contributing to illegal deforestation, land grabs, and human rights abuses in the Brazilian Amazon by sourcing cattle from ranches operating within protected areas. HRW claims JBS fails to track its indirect suppliers, allowing cattle raised on illegally deforested land to be “laundered” into its supply chain. The report focuses on Pará, a state with high deforestation rates and land conflicts, and highlights the impact on Indigenous and traditional communities. HRW criticizes Brazil’s livestock tracking system for lacking individual animal records, making it difficult to trace origins. JBS acknowledged loopholes in its filings but has promised to require suppliers to declare suppliers by 2026, which is not enough for HRW. Reform is on the horizon with Pará’s and the federal government’s plans for full traceability, but HRW warns the timelines are too slow. Advocacy groups call for immediate action, including making data publicly accessible, and holding companies accountable.
**News Article:**
**Human Rights Watch Accuses Meat Giant JBS of Fueling Amazon Deforestation**
**Pará, Brazil** – A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleges that JBS, the world’s largest meat company, is indirectly contributing to illegal deforestation, land grabs, and human rights abuses in the Brazilian Amazon by sourcing cattle from ranches operating within protected areas.
The 86-page report, released on Wednesday, focuses on the state of Pará, a region with alarmingly high deforestation rates. HRW claims that JBS’s failure to track its indirect cattle suppliers allows for a “laundering” system, where cattle raised on illegally deforested land are moved through various ranches to conceal their origins before reaching JBS facilities.
“JBS cannot guarantee that its beef or leather products are not contributing to deforestation,” said Luciana Téllez, a senior environment researcher at HRW. “They are responsible for what they are procuring.”
The report highlights the devastating impact on Indigenous and traditional communities, who have faced displacement, destruction of crops, and violence due to land invasions.
HRW criticized Brazil’s livestock tracking system, which lacks individual animal records, making it difficult to trace cattle back to their origin. JBS has acknowledged the loopholes in its filings but has promised to require suppliers to declare suppliers by 2026.
While reforms are underway with plans for full traceability in Pará and at the federal level, HRW warns that these timelines are too slow. Advocacy groups are calling for immediate action, including making data publicly accessible, and holding companies accountable for the impacts of their supply chains on the Amazon.
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