Uruguay to export first certified carbon-neutral meat shipment in South America

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Agustín Russi, Business Development Manager of LSQA, the company involved in the certification process, said that this shipment will be a “historic milestone” for Uruguay. The meat was produced by Mosaica, LSQA-certified and slaughtered by Solís Meat Uruguay, according to Blasina y Asociados.

A meat producer that exports to major European markets, Mosaica began compiling data and managing its carbon footprint in 2021. The company bases its production on natural pastures and the conservation of the native tree stands within its fields, thus achieving a carbon dioxide capture higher than its emissions, reaching the carbon neutrality seal.

The verification process covers Mosaica’s livestock production at all stages, fom the birth of the animal through breeding and fattening, to its arrival at the slaughterhouse.

“The carbon footprint verification process is the closest thing there is to an accounting process, where instead of money, tons of carbon are counted. What is emitted, what is captured and a balance is drawn,” Russi explained.

“Rural producers must conduct their own footprint inventory based on all these regulations (…) then a validation and verification body checks the product’s footprint, in an independent audit, verifies and validates that the inventory conducted by the producer is accurate and in compliance with international standards,” he added.

LSQA, the company in charge of the certification, uses a verification program for carbon footprints in the initial stages of meat production, also known as “Cradle to Gate,” from birth until it reaches the slaughterhouse. It is based on international ISO standards, product category rules, and the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories to survey and verify the carbon footprint of meat.

These types of measures are associated with the global targets to which Uruguay subscribed at COP26 in Glasgow. Cooperation is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.

FIRST CERTIFICATES IN URUGUAY

In June 2021, Montes del Plata and BPU Meat Uruguay signed an agreement to achieve the first carbon-neutral meat certification in the country. The goal was to differentiate Uruguayan meat in the international market and thus gain access to consumers who demand environmentally friendly products.

Former Minister of Livestock Carlos María Uriarte said that another reason for the agreement is the association between cattle-raising and forestry interests towards carbon neutral meat.

According to Uriarte, Uruguay is one of the world’s leading cattle-raising countries so it must work to balance carbon emissions into the atmosphere. “Although it is not the only thing we can do, it is the ultimate measure to protect the environment while producing at the same time,” he added.

The companies involved stated that the first carbon neutral meat seal in Uruguay is in line with global challenges and the associated potential of two productive sectors that drive the country. This is the case of forestry, through Montes del Plata, and the meat sector through BPU Meat.

Uriarte said that the challenge of achieving this type of products should be part of a national policy and emphasized the key role of forestry as a tool for balancing emissions.