For the seventh straight year, audit confirms Marfrig’s compliance with Amazon conservation practices

DNV-GL, an independent international consulting firm specializing in corporate and environmental risk analysis, has attested to the compliance of Marfrig Global Foods, one of the world’s leading beef producers, with the Public Commitment on Amazon Cattle Ranching.

The document evaluates the practices adopted to combat deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, violence against indigenous peoples and the use of slave labor within the Amazon Biome, which encompasses the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Pará, Amapá, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima and parts of the states of Maranhão, Tocantins and Mato Grosso.

The audit assessed the animal purchases made from January 1 to December 31, 2018. For the seventh year, Marfrig was certified in compliance with the commitment first undertaken in 2009.  The DNV-GL team verified that Marfrig’s cattle procurement team, aligned with the Sustainable Cattle Farming team, systematically has knowledge of all instructions of the social and environmental procedures for cattle sourcing and that it maintains in all its units a system that automatically identifies and prevents any attempt to purchase cattle from producers who violate the commitment and who have been blacklisted by Ibama, the Brazilian environmental protection agency, or by “slave labor” lists, and who have not engaged in fresh deforestation activities after 2009.  It also attested that Marfrig conducts geospatial analysis of the properties located in the biome, which allows it to cross information and identify whether the properties operate in deforestation areas, conservation units and indigenous land.

“Sustainability is part of the company’s DNA. Animal welfare, environmental and social responsibility, and partnerships with producers, entities and non-governmental organizations guide our operation,” said Paulo Pianez, sector director at Marfrig.

The audit

The independent audit was conducted in three phases. The first phase assessed the system responsible for cattle sourcing and the blacklisting of suppliers located in the Amazon Biome that fail to comply with the social and environmental criteria established by Marfrig. Tests were conducted to simulate animal purchases from suppliers that are blacklisted by Ibama or by the Ministry of Labor. The simulations confirmed that all Marfrig units follow the policy of not sourcing cattle from farms included in areas currently banned by Ibama and the ministry.

In the second phase, the auditors verified the quality and efficacy of the geomonitoring system used by the company using tests, geospatial analyses and the presentation of all data-gathering processes.  In the third and final phase, DNV-GL verified the environmental and property compliance process throughout the supply chain. It showed that the company works with suppliers that are in good standing and consequently in compliance with the social and environmental criteria established by Marfrig for its animal sourcing supply chain.

“Since 2012, Marfrig is the only company to be certified 100% in compliance by all audits related to the Public Commitment on Amazon Cattle Ranching. This reflects our commitment to the best environmental practices,” said Pianez.

About DNV-GL

DNV-GL is an independent foundation driven by the purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment. Established in 1864 and with a global reputation of excellence, it is the leader in certification and independent assurance services. Its longstanding experience and competence in risk management make DNV-GL one of the few certification and assurance companies to offer a complete range of services across all sectors of the economy. With a network of 300 offices in more than 100 countries, its 14,000 employees work in strategic locations in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. In Brazil, DNV-GL has operated for over 35 years and its core competence is the management of risks, which are then transformed into opportunities for organizations.