JBS Faces Lawsuits for Amazon Destruction, Millions in Damages Sought

Meat processing giant JBS SA and three other slaughterhouses are facing lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in damages for allegedly purchasing cattle raised illegally in a protected area in the Brazilian Amazon. The lawsuits target the exploitation of a protected area known as Jaci-Parana, which has been transformed into grassland by land-grabbers, loggers, and cattle ranchers. The lawsuits contain evidence showing cows going straight to the slaughterhouse from protected areas, with information provided by illegal ranchers themselves. The lawsuits aim to put a price on the destruction of old-growth rainforest, with damages estimated at around $1 billion. Deforestation in the Amazon is a major concern, threatening biodiversity and exacerbating climate change.