SÃO PAULO, Brazil – The Marfrig Group has received a ‘green cattle raising seal’ from the Rainforest Alliance, the company announced June 19.

Marfrig’s Tangara da Serra Marfrig Group Unit can produce and market products internationally bearing the Rainforest Alliance seal, which indicates that Marfrig has aligned its entire beef production cycle in accordance with Rainforest Alliance standards. The Tanga da Serra unit is the first food company in the animal protein segment to meet the alliance’s 136 social and environmental criteria which include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and implementation of animal welfare practices, according to Marfrig.

"This is a new and global pioneering initiative by Marfrig Group that raises the bar in the way of thinking and conducting sustainable agribusiness," said James Cruden, chief executive officer of Marfrig Beef, Marfrig Group's beef division.

The Sustainable Agriculture Network, a coalition of independent conservation organizations, established the certification requirements. Imaflora, which is accredited to grant the Rainforest Alliance certification in Brazil, conducted the audit of Marfrig’s beef unit.