By Carlos A. Moreno
Rio de Janeiro, Aug 29 (EFE) – Brazil, the world’s largest beef producer and exporter, launched in July a program to track every head of cattle from birth to slaughter, a measure experts say will be critical in the fight against deforestation.
The National Program for the Individual Identification of Cattle and Buffalo has long been demanded by beef-importing countries, concerned about sanitary standards, as well as by environmental groups seeking to stop the sale of cattle raised in deforested areas, particularly in the Amazon.
Deadlines for implementation
Under a government timeline announced in late July, starting Jan. 1, 2033, the movement of any cattle not properly identified and registered in national inventories will be banned. Each animal will be required to have an electronic tag or ear clip.
The initiative, slow to be implemented, allows verification of both sanitary and environmental standards and is expected to help Brazil curb deforestation, one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Latin America’s largest economy, according to experts consulted by EFE.
“The program was delayed because of a mindset in Brazil that believes tracking deforestation means tracking production. On the contrary, if deforestation didn’t exist, cattle traceability wouldn’t be necessary,” said Márcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory.
Astrini said the program is essential because it will prevent consumers from paying for a product that finances the destruction of forests.
Bruno Vello, a public policy analyst at Imaflora, said the July 27 decree establishing a timetable is significant because it finally sets deadlines.
“It’s a good thing because until now we had no deadlines or information. Now we know it’s underway,” he said.
Guaranteeing quality and transparency
Economic analyst Gilberto Braga, a researcher at IBMEC University, said the initiative demonstrates the quality of Brazil’s herd, not only in terms of taste and tenderness but also its origin, health, and environmental impact.
“It offers a complete and absolute traceability of cattle and its consequences. It will be possible to follow the preparation of the product and its environmental impact, as well as establish standards and comparisons and determine the commitments of producers,” he explained.
The timetable foresees four phases:
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Phase 1 (July 2024): Develop and launch a national computerized system and a real-time database to register all animals.
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Phase 2 (by Dec. 31, 2026): Require regional animal health agencies to adapt their systems to the national platform.
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Phase 3 (2027–2029): Begin identifying animals through voluntary registration of data such as origin, farm location, vaccines, sales, slaughterhouse, and final destination.
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Phase 4 (2030–2032): Make all previously voluntary requirements mandatory.
The National Agriculture Confederation praised the timetable for giving ranchers time to adapt both operationally and technically.
“The regulation reinforces the sector’s commitment to modernizing agricultural defense, ensuring transparency in production chains, strengthening animal health, and expanding markets,” the group said in a statement.
Green Economy Forum: cattle traceability in focus
Cattle traceability will be one of the key topics at the 3rd Latin American Green Economy Forum, hosted by Agencia EFE in São Paulo on Sept. 4.
The event will bring together officials and experts to address the challenges of the climate crisis, sponsored by ApexBrasil (the country’s trade and investment promotion agency) and Norte Energia, with the support of IBMEC University, the Climate Observatory, and Imaflora. EFE