‘A major step forward’: Brazil founds trade group for carbon-neutral meat

Scientists from Brazil’s Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) first began working on the concept of carbon-neutral meat back in 2012. In 2015, it launched a trademarked front-of-pack label that producers can add to fresh, frozen or processed beef for both domestic and export markets. This month (14 February), however, saw the initiative take “ a major step ” forwards with the creation of its own trade association, the Brazilian Association of Carbon-Neutral Meat Producers (ABCCN). Headquartered in São Paulo with Gustavo Pitangui de Salvo as president, the ABCCN said it was “ open to producers at different stages of production ”, either with systems for Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest Systems (ICLFS) already in place or in the initial phase of planning. “This concept is genuinely Brazilian,” said Dr Fabiana Villa Alves, one of the researchers leading the Carbon Neutral Project. “Embrapa’s scientists foresaw the potential of the well-established technology for integrated systems to add value to its produce, especially beef, in the form of neutralising carbon by trees. “There are other initiatives around the world, addressing cattle ranching and carbon. However, this approach [of] trademarking verified carbon-neutral beef in commercial scale is unique," she told FoodNavigator-LATAM. “The ABCCN [brings together] farmers in order to offer high-quality beef in larger amounts, bargain better deals for [their] associates and build partnerships with private and public institutions, for further research and capacity building,” said Villa Alves. Marfrig commits to ‘formal partnership’ Production on a commercial scale has already started, with at least one of Brazil’s meat processing heavyweights publicly expressing an interest. “Marfrig promptly responded to Embrapa’s appeal to the major Brazilian beef processors to commit to this initiative,” said Villa Alves. This commitment takes the form of “a formal partnership to further develop and expand the concept, which is fully aligned with the company’s vision of promoting a more sustainable beef market”, she added. Marfrig CEO Martín Secco said the partnership would encourage sustainable production and offer consumers beef with a guarantee of origin and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The meat processor said consumers could expect the first carbon-neutral products to hit shelves in 2019. The southwestern province of Mato Grosso do Sul also said it would support and promote the carbon-neutral project through public policy as part of its ambitions to become Brazil’s first carbon-neutral state . ‘ Domestic retail chains have already contacted us’ The concept of carbon-neutral meat is complementary to other sustainability-driven production methods, such as organic, grass-fed or non-GMO, said the Embrapa researcher. “CCN is also based on pastures, promotes animal welfare and controls animal feeding ,” she added. The research agency said it believed demand would come from both global – particularly European – and domestic consumers. “The international market is currently more open for such sustainability initiatives, also due to higher incomes and consumer awareness about the subject , ” Villa Alves said. “ However, the domestic market is also promising, retail chains have already been in contact with us for putting this added value on their shelves. ” The ABCCN is working on a publicity campaign to raise public awareness with partners from the country’s beef sector. “An exclusive strategy to address major market targets is under development [with] partners from the beef-processing sector. “However, it is known that the best publicity is always a top-quality product. No doubt, this will be ensured on each carbon-neutral beef steak reaching the table of vanguard consumers,” Villa Alves added. Plenty of room to beef up production The ABCCN estimated that carbon-neutral beef production could grow to cover 1.5 million hectares of farmland or 2.2 million cattle, equivalent to around 1% of Brazil’s total cattle herds, it said, although it did not specify by when. However, the fact that Brazil already has around 10 million hectares of farmland managed under ICLFS systems – the main criteria for being CNM certified – provided ample scope for expansion beyond 1.5m ha, according to Embrapa. Cattle production accounts for 6.8% of Brazil's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Marfrig, the country’s pasture area has decreased by 12% between 1990 and 2015, while meat productivity has grown 229%.

‘A major step forward’: Brazil founds trade group for carbon-neutral meat

The newly-formed Brazilian Association of Carbon-Neutral Meat Producers will develop both supply of, and demand for, carbon-neutral meat.

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