Selos distintivos na cadeia produtiva da pecuária: o direito à informação e a rastreabilidade da carne bovina no estado do Pará

Abstract

Cattle ranching began in the Brazilian state of Pará in the context of a policy, favored by military regimes, of occupation of the Brazilian Amazon that was widespread into the 1980s. Beginning in the 1990s, faced with environmental problems linked to production chains and health crises tied to food production, a new business cycle arose that was marked by the search for environmentally and socially appropriate actions and by assurances of quality and proper sourcing of products. In this context, the application of ESG agenda to ranching, in addition to mitigating production process risks and aiding conformity with sustainability standards, could bring greater awareness to beef production. A central factor in this process consists of implementing transparency in the production chain, carrying out animal tracking, in order to ensure the legality of production. In 2002 in Brazil, a system of cattle tracing was started which, nevertheless, is mandatory only for animals destined for export. For the internal market, there is still a need to improve tracking systems in order for consumers to truly have complete, reliable information about the provenance of the beef they consume. Certification is one of the mechanisms that can serve this purpose and provide consumers with information about the production process. Distinguishing labels make it possible to certify both the quality and origin of products, giving value to producers and ensuring food safety. In light of this, the study proposes to analyze how distinguishing labels can be used as a mechanism to combat the lack of traceability in the beef production chain in Pará and violations of consumers’ right to information. The specific objectives are to present the history of the beef production chain in Brazil, especially in the case of the state of Pará, characterizing the current and future structure of the chain via application of ESG principles; to understand the use of distinguishing labels for agricultural products and their relation with traceability in the beef production chain; and, lastly, to demonstrate how a consumer’s right to information contributes to food safety. This study will use deductive reasoning, with bibliographic research and access to secondary data. It is hoped that this survey will contribute to a rise in the quality of beef in the state of Pará.