A judge in Brazil has ordered two beef processors and three cattle ranchers to pay $764,000 for environmental damage caused by purchasing cattle from a protected former rainforest area in the Amazon.
The processing companies, Distriboi and Frigon, were found guilty of buying cattle raised illegally in Jaci-Parana, a once-forested area now largely converted to pasture. Jaci-Parana is one of the most devastated conservation areas in the Brazilian Amazon, The Associated Press said.
The parties charged also include JBS SA, and the court has yet to decide on cases involving the company.
