The Cerrado Protocol Advances to a New Phase

Photo by: McDonald's Brazil, June 2022.

The ”Voluntary Monitoring Protocol for Cattle Suppliers in the Cerrado” is approaching the end of the evaluation phase of the socio-environmental criteria and analysis rules. A trial version of the Protocol was published in 2021 and industry organisations evaluated the potential impacts of the protocol on the supply chain. At the same time, discussion began about the Protocol's long-term governance structure. 

The tests evaluated the effects of the proposed criteria on some of the most important actors in the Cerrado’s beef chain. The objective was to achieve a set of criteria that effectively end the conversion of native vegetation while minimising negative social and economic impacts. 

Companies involved in the early development of the Protocol, including Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA), Arcos Dorados, JBS, Minerva Foods, Frigol and Marfrig, made assessments related to the criteria in their supply chains and debated challenges and opportunities within the newly established Protocol Coordination Committee. The Committee is now re-evaluating the Protocol's test version criteria to present proposed adjustments. 

In parallel, an initial governance structure is being implemented to ensure adequate representation of actors from Cerrado’s beef business sector and civil society. The parties involved in the development of the Protocol understand the need for different levels of participation and decision-making to ensure transparency and adequate representation and mediation for any issues.  

In the proposed governance structure, Proforest, Imaflora and NWF are part of the Coordinating Committee that will work with the Deliberative Council, which is also formed by the civil society organization WWF-Brazil, food industries JBS, Marfrig and Minerva Foods and purchasing companies GPA/Assai and Arcos Dorados. Other institutions may be involved in consultation and will be constantly updated on the implementation of the Protocol. 

The current phase of the development of the Protocol is being supported financially by Mars Petcare, McDonald’s and NWF, with technical support from Proforest and Imaflora. 

Read the trial version of the Protocol, understand its development phases, and learn more about the Cerrado biome at www.cerradoprotocol.net.

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