The livestock industry plays a major part in the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions caused by changes in land use. For this very reason, it is also considered one of the areas that can contribute the most in reducing these emissions, giving it a balance.
In this sense, recent years, science, farmers, companies and organizations have been dedicated over to develop research and initiatives in the field that promote low-carbon livestock production.
An example of this is the Carbon Neutral Beef Seal (CCN), a concept brand developed by Embrapa with work started in 2012 and which, in November, held the 1st CCN Concept Brand Certification Training Course, responsible for certifying that the product is within the standards required by the seal, with the endorsement from the CNA Institute (ICNA).
The event held in Campo Grande (MS) brought together representatives of the certifying agencies, technicians, researchers and professionals related to the agricultural industry, as well as IDH.
During three days of intense work, with discussions covering CCN production, which includes animal welfare care and ambience in Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration, good low carbon farming practices, use of trees in the system, requirements of the soil and animal component, specialty beef market, ongoing changes in the field, trends in certification, and especially the role of the certifiers in CCN’s certification process.
According to Ivens Domingos, head of IDH Brazil Livestock Program, the course was a milestone reached by Embrapa, the result of a science-based process that also involved contributions from several important actors within the livestock chain and now represents the beginning of implementation in the field, including the connection to the beef production market with the neutralization of its carbon emissions. “For IDH, having attended the course was of great importance to understand the entire Protocol certification process, which phase of the production chain it currently contemplates and what the prospects for the future. This will allow us to connect the proposal with our Livestock intervention strategy in the regions where we operate and to identify markets and consumers that recognize the value of this beef,” he says.
The announcement that the Low Carbon Beef Protocol (CBC) is progressing and that, together with the CCN, criteria and guidelines for the Calf production phase have now been considered, has been received as excellent news as it connects directly with the Sustainable Calf Production Program, developed by IDH and partners in Mato Grosso.
The Protocol will be managed by ICNA, which will accredit the certifiers, that is, those who will check the documents and prerequisites. The Protocol has been concluded, defined and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supplies (MAPA) and Embrapa.
The Sustainable Calf Production Program was implemented in February 2019 in the Mato Grosso regions of the Juruena Valley and Araguaia Valley. The aim is to benefit 457 properties by 2021 by providing technical assistance in production, finance and credit, and environment and land, resulting in improved income for the farmers. To this end, IDH initiative brings together the Carrefour Foundation, Carrefour Brazil, Acrimat, Natcap and São Marcelo Farm.