A coalition of environmental groups is pushing U.S. securities regulators to thwart JBS SA’s New York share listing over concerns about the meatpacker’s impact on deforestation, climate change and other issues.
The Brazilian company, the world’s largest meat processor, hopes a U.S. listing will attract a broader investor base to give it more access to cheaper capital.
The list of activist groups, which includes Rainforest Action Network, Mighty Earth and World Animal Protection, sent letters to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in August, urging it to oppose the U.S. initial public offering or investigate claims in JBS’s prospectus.
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Activists have previously accused JBS of exploiting the environment and workers, including arguments that cattle ranching, along with clearing land to sell timber or grow crops, is driving deforestation in the Amazon.
“In the prospectus there is no clear road map to really make sure JBS is not involved in deforestation,” said Merel van der Mark, a Rainforest Action Network co-ordinator.
The South American beef industry says most deforestation is done by criminals.
World Animal Protection told the SEC that JBS, which buys grain for livestock feed, did not adequately identify cropping as a material risk factor for deforestation in its prospectus.
Last year, an audit by Brazilian prosecutors reported that nearly 17 per cent of the cattle bought by JBS in Para state in the Amazon rainforest from July 2019 to June 2020 allegedly came from ranches with “irregularities” like illegal deforestation.
JBS said at the time that issues leading to the purchases had been fixed and that it is using blockchain technology to monitor its suppliers. As of January 2026, only producers registered in its blockchain tool will be able to continue doing business with JBS, it said.
The company expects to conclude its U.S. listing by the end of the year.
