Tainted Beef: Colombian Supermarkets Linked to Illegal Deforestation and Armed Conflict in the Amazon


Publisher: Environmental Investigation Agency

Date: 2021

Topics: Conflict Causes, Land, Renewable Resources

Countries: Colombia

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A new report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) reveals how beef sold in Colombian supermarkets is fueling illegal deforestation in protected Amazon forests and contributing to financing armed groups.

The groundbreaking investigation traces beef originating from illegally deforested areas to supermarket chains such as Grupo Exito and Colsubsidio, where it is sold to consumers. Through innovative data analysis and extensive field investigations, EIA uncovered a system marred by corruption, extortion, cattle laundering, and illegal forest clearing in the Colombian Amazon.