Brazilian Meatpacker Won't Use Amazon-bred Cattle

STAN LEHMAN

SAO PAULO (AP) — One of Brazil's largest meatpacking companies has signed a commitment with Greenpeace to stop purchasing cattle bred in deforested areas of the Amazon rain forest.

Bertin SA, Brazil's second largest meat exporter and the country's top leather exporter said Friday in a statement that it will no loner purchase cattle bred in areas deforested after Aug. 10.

Bertin also agreed to exclude from its supplier list rural properties accused of using debt slavery or that are linked to rural violence and the occupation of indigenous lands.

The company's president, Fernando Bertin, said in the statement that in six months the meatpacker will be able to track its suppliers to "assure their adhesion to this policy."

"Greenpeace and Bertin are committed to working with the federal and state governments, other NGOs and rural producers ... to implement this deforestation zero policy for cattle ranching," the statement said.

Brazil's fourth biggest meatpacker, Marfrig, has made a similar commitment to the state of Mato Grosso, home of Brazil's biggest cattle herd.