The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), represented by Trade Counsel Sheridan McKinney, delivered irrefutable testimony this week before the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington, D.C., calling for immediate and enforceable reforms to address illegal deforestation, corruption, and forced labor in Brazil’s beef supply chains.
The public hearing, part of USTR’s Section 301 Investigation into certain acts, policies, and practices by Brazil, highlighted urgent threats to fair competition and market integrity for American cattle producers.
“Promises to comply with the law when we ‘get around to it’ in 2032 or whenever are simply not good enough—we’d like you to make it clear that the United States means business now,” testified McKinney. “Somewhere between 80 and 90% of land cleared in the Amazon gets converted to use for cattle production. This isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s an economic and market crisis for America’s independent ranchers.”
USCA’s formal comments detail the sector’s widespread issues: “systematic corruption in the Brazilian beef industry, including bribery of inspectors, falsification of records, and chronic evasion of export restrictions.” Such practices, the association warned, allow non-compliant or illegally-sourced beef to undercut the quality and reputation of U.S. producers on the global stage.
Brazil’s cattle sector has created a tangled web in which illegally cleared land and forced labor are woven into the beef supply chain, making it nearly impossible to distinguish lawful, ethical beef from that produced through exploitation and environmental destruction.
Citing the deliberate “laundering” of cattle through multiple operations to obscure their origins, USCA called for concrete actions:
• Independent, third-party audits of Brazil’s entire beef supply chain
• Immediate suspension of market access for beef linked to illegal deforestation or forced labor
• Public disclosure of any conflicts of interest between beef processors, regulators, and authorities
• Written, enforceable commitments from Brazilian officials to cooperate with U.S. enforcement efforts
“Illegal deforestation in Brazil’s cattle supply chain presents a direct threat to both global environmental goals and the competitive landscape for U.S. beef producers,” the organization stated in its written testimony. “USCA urges USTR to ensure the highest standards of anti-corruption, supply chain traceability, environmental stewardship, and labor rights.”
This advocacy continues USCA’s longstanding leadership on the issue. USCA founder Leo McDonnell’s 2023 Senate testimony notably spotlighted Brazil’s unfair practices, rampant deforestation, and labor abuses—bringing national attention to the need for rigorous enforcement and reform.
USCA stands ready to provide further documentation and maintains its commitment to championing transparent, fair, and ethical international trade for the benefit of American ranchers and consumers.
