Certification, Forest Conservation, and Cattle: Theories and Evidence of Change in Brazil

Abstract

Voluntary certification programs for agricultural and forest products have been developed to improve the environmental and social sustainability of production processes. The new Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) cattle certification program aims to reduce deforestation in the cattle supply chain, with a focus on Brazil. Drawing on information from interviews with key actors in Brazil, this article discusses the mechanisms that may enable the SAN cattle program to achieve these goals and to avoid critiques that have been leveled at other commodity certification programs. The program sets higher standards for sustainability than any existing policy or incentive mechanism. Participation in the program may generate significant indirect financial and non-financial benefits. The program may also influence the supply chain more widely: by demonstrating that certifiable, traceable, sustainable cattle production is viable; by "raising the bar" of sustainability standards through rigorous criteria; and by creating new markets and incentives. While the scaling up and impact of the SAN cattle program will depend in part on how it is supported or constrained by other interventions in the same sector, the program appears to be characterized by a rigorous program design that is necessary, if not sufficient, to catalyze reduced rates of forest loss.

Sustainable bioproducts in Brazil: disputes and agreements on a common ground agenda for agriculture and nature protection

“…In 2009, the three main slaughter companies (JBS, Marfrig, and Minerva) engaged with Greenpeace in a voluntary moratorium for a progressive reduction and end of deforestation in the beef value chain . In addition, a Sustainable Cattle Working Group (GTPS) has been created and a group of farms and beef slaughterhouses have been certified under the Sustainable Agriculture Network‐Rainforest Alliance system, delivering certified beef to a mainstream supermarket chain . The national government launched an ambitious agricultural low carbon production initiative (Plano ABC), offering subsidized credit to increase pastureland productivity…”

Reducing Deforestation and Enhancing Sustainability in Commodity Supply Chains: Interactions between Governance Interventions and Cattle Certification in Brazil

“…Certification by the SAN cattle program serves as a proxy indicator for sustainability, since participation in the program demands a strong commitment to sustainable practices by certified farms [11]. Therefore, although this certification program is new and has only been adopted by few farmers, the case study contains lessons for how higher levels of sustainability may be achieved across the sector.…”

“…For example, after one year of implementation of the 'low carbon integrated livestock' program, pasture quality inside DUs improved and the number of Animal Units per hectare increased from 1.4 (the average in the Alta Floresta region) to 3.1. By improving on-farm sustainable practices, farms may be better prepared to participate in private sector incentive programs and, eventually, the SAN cattle certification program [11].…”

Results from On-The-Ground Efforts to Promote Sustainable Cattle Ranching in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Currently, farmers receive the same price for their product, regardless of their environmental management. This could be fixed by the development of sustainable beef price premiums and certification schemes, such as the "Standard for Sustainable Cattle Production Systems" developed by the Sustainable Agricultural Network, which delivers a financial reward to producers implementing good practices [78]. Similarly, agricultural credit can be leveraged for sustainability, by making access to agricultural credit contingent on the adoption of sustainable ranching practices, and by supporting the costs of meeting the requirements of the Forest Code.…”