Why is IFC considering an investment in Bertin?
IFC believes that through its involvement in this project, it can raise the standards in the production and supply chain of beef processing in Brazil in general, and in Par’s southeast region in particular. Given the economic significance of cattle ranching in Par, IFC and Bertin intend to set a standard based on good international practice that can be replicated in other beef processing operations and their respective supply chain. IFC’s intention is to help establish initiatives and practices in Brazil’s meat industry to combat such critical issues as illegal deforestation, rural violence, illegal landholding (grilagem), slave labor, and invasion of indigenous people’s land. Through this project Bertin will develop systems and procedures to buy cattle only from farms and farmers that conform to its requirements. Although an efficient state policy would detect and take action when these phenomena occur, IFC’s believes the private sector has an important role to play. The decision to f
