Neoliberalism and the Emergence of Private Sustainability Initiatives: The Case of the Brazilian Cattle Value Chain

Abstract

Recent studies have examined the political significance of the emergence of governmental initiatives to develop sustainability standards for agricultural commodities in the transition economies. Yet, few studies have examined how neoliberal ideas influence the governance of value chains in the agri-food sector of these countries. This paper's goal is to explore the changing role of the state in sustainable cattle value chain governance in Brazil, through a methodology of participant observation of the Brazilian Roundtable on Sustainable Livestock (GTPS). The results describe the technologies used to govern the cattle value chain, which involves a private action controlled at a distance by the state that is aimed at making products acceptable on world markets. This neoliberal governmentality does not address some crucial sustainability issues of the cattle value chain. The findings call for an extension of evaluation methods so that more attention can be devoted to alternative cattle production systems.

Review: Make ruminants green again – how can sustainable intensification and agroecology converge for a better future?

“…This reveals the potential of labelling ruminant farming systems through strict welfare certifications so that citizens can develop their own system of consumption ethics . Regarding environmental benefits, compliance with the Brazilian Forest Code was achieved thanks to increased transparency in the Brazilian cattle supply chain (Guéneau, 2018;zu Ermgassen et al, 2018). This increased compliance did not affect the productivity of beef and dairy farms.…”

“…Livestock requires a large amount of feed resources (they use one-third of total cereal production and 8% of human water use; Makkar, 2018). Agricultural land-use to meet the demands for animal products has been noted as the main cause of deforestation; the most recent research shows that approximately two-thirds of the cleared areas in the Brazilian Amazon were converted to pastures (Guéneau, 2018). Livestock account for 14.5% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Gerber et al, 2013), which makes the livestock sector a major contributor to climate change.…”

“…They have been seen as complementary steps away from industrial systems towards the necessary transition of agricultural and livestock production systems (Tscharntke et al, 2012;Dumont et al, 2013;Smith, 2013;Gordon et al, 2017;Makkar, 2018). However, other authors have stated that although SI is a step in the right direction, it mainly conforms to the current neoliberal agricultural model (Guéneau, 2018), and AE cannot co-exist alongside the aggressive expansion of industrial agriculture, genetically modified organisms and agrofuels (Altieri et al, 2017). According to Fouilleux et al (2017), it is not necessary to endorse productionist agricultural models to feed the world's population.…”

A move beyond sustainability certification: The evolution of the chocolate industry's sustainable sourcing practices

“…Many argue that consumers influence companies through their preferences for ethical products (Auld, ; Dauvergne & Lister, ; Elder, Lister, & Dauvergne, ; Fulponi, ; Raynolds, ). Others contend that companies are implementing sustainability commitments to avoid future regulatory pressure (Baron, ; de Vries, Nentjes, & Odam, ; Guéneau, ; Khanna & Brouhle, ; Segerson, ), suggesting governments play a crucial role. The media and NGOs may exert substantial pressure, as protecting brand reputation from negative press or activist pressures is a key motivation for pursuing private regulation (Baron, ; Dauvergne & Lister, ; Fulponi, ; Green, ; Henderson, ; Porter & Kramer, ).…”

Challenges and Opportunities for the Sustainability Transition in Global Trade (Introduction)

“…The fifth article (Guéneau, 2017) aims to understand the changing role of the state in sustainable cattle supply-chain governance in Brazil in the context of emergent private governance arrangements. The article applies Foucault's work on the notion of neoliberal governmentality to the case of the Brazilian Roundtable on Sustainable Livestock (GTPS), mostly employing a methodology of participant observation.…”