Total Fines Amount to R$ 364.5 Million
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) launched the second phase of Operation Cold Meat this week, targeting 23 meatpacking plants that were purchasing cattle from areas under embargo due to illegal deforestation in the Amazon. In total, fines amounting to R$ 364.5 million were issued.
During the investigation, 69 rural properties in the states of Pará and Amazonas were identified as raising and selling approximately 18,000 cattle heads across 26,000 hectares of land under embargo for illegal deforestation.
Authorities issued 154 infraction notices and seized 8,854 cattle produced in these embargoed areas.
Additionally, three meatpacking plants were closed for operating without an environmental license or for not complying with existing environmental regulations.
Affected Regions
The operation was carried out in several municipalities in Pará, including Novo Progresso, Santarém, Altamira, São Félix do Xingu, Igarapé-Açú, Portel, Anapú, Pacajá, Novo Repartimento, Ipixuna, Tomé-Açú, and Bom Jesus do Tocantins. In the state of Amazonas, the operation took place in Boca do Acre and Lábrea.
Operation Cold Meat
The second phase of Operation Cold Meat was conducted with the support of the National Security Force and the Federal Highway Police (PRF). This operation is part of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon (PPCDAm), led by the Ministry of the Environment.
The first phase of the operation took place in 2017, when Ibama identified 14 meatpacking plants purchasing cattle from embargoed areas across 20 rural properties. At that time, the agency issued R$ 294 million in fines.
