SÃO PAULO – JBS S.A. announced on Sept. 23 a plan to help cattle suppliers and to promote and fund conservation of the Amazon rainforest in its home country of Brazil.

The multinational meat producer said by 2025, any Brazilian livestock supplier selling to JBS must join a cross-reference blockchain platform that will identify ranches and cattle.

The company said the new system will include accessing producer information and transparent verification and auditing of all transactions. The results of annual independent audits will be made available in the company’s annual sustainability report. JBS also said that it will share the monitoring technology with financial institutions and other companies who want to improve sustainability in the Amazon.

“We publicly reiterate our commitment to the sustainability of the Amazon, one of Brazil’s most precious natural resources,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, global chief executive officer for JBS. “We hope our actions today will help accelerate the urgent fight against deforestation, while fostering the bio-economy, sustainable agricultural practices and opportunities for social development for the families and communities who call the Amazon home.”

JBS said that it has been monitoring 100% of its cattle suppliers, more than 50,000 farms, for more than a decade. Still, reports from Brazil among JBS suppliers and other beef processors have shown that the entire supply chain has not abided by zero tolerance for deforestation.

Later in its release, JBS also announced a new project titled, “Together for the Amazon.” The meat processor said the pillars for this project include responsible value chain development, forest conservation and restorations, support for local communities in the Amazon and scientific research and technology development.

Another initiative by the company was providing farmers and ranchers with legal support, animal husbandry and environmental assistance to help with land management.

The “JBS Fund for the Amazon” was also announced to support sustainability projects in forest conservation and restoration along with socioeconomic development. The company plans to contribute as much as R$500 million ($90 million) by 2030. JBS said it would also match third-party contributions with the fund making it to R$1 billion ($180.5 million) in 10 years.

The fund will be led by Joanita Maestri Karoleski, former CEO of Seara, with assistance from the board of directors, fiscal council, consultative council and a technical committee.