Activists from Greenpeace entered a shareholder meeting of JBS, the world’s largest meat processing company, in the Netherlands on Thursday.
They installed a banner with the slogan ‘JBS: Keep Your Bloody Business Out of Africa’ at the entrance of the Sheraton hotel at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where the meeting was held. The message was aimed at the company’s expansion plans in Nigeria.
According to local reports, shareholders inside the room left quickly when activists entered.
Greenpeace wanted to deliver a letter warning the company about possible legal action. The group is trying to stop JBS from expanding its operations in Nigeria. Activists say these plans could cause serious environmental damage and harm small farmers.
Greenpeace Netherlands has started the first steps toward a lawsuit against the giant meat company. They are demanding that JBS release information about its impact on the climate, nature, and human rights.
The goal is to challenge JBS’s business plans in court, especially its $6 billion global expansion, with nearly half of the money going to new projects in Nigeria.
A global meat giant
JBS is one of the largest food companies in the world. It was founded in Brazil but is now officially based in the Netherlands.
The company operates in more than 20 countries and processes millions of animals every day. It produces beef, pork and chicken products for global markets and employs over 250,000 people worldwide.
JBS has grown rapidly through acquisitions and is a major supplier to supermarkets and fast-food chains.
Environmental concerns and criticism
Greenpeace has criticised JBS for years. The organisation links the company to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, where forests are cleared for cattle farming.
JBS has also faced accusations of “greenwashing,” meaning it presents itself as more environmentally friendly than it really is.
The company has said it is working to improve sustainability and reduce its environmental impact.
JBS has invested in plant-based food products. It owns brands such as Vivera and De Vegetarische Slager (The Vegetarian Butcher), which produce meat alternatives.
This strategy allows the company to diversify its business as demand for vegetarian and vegan food grows worldwide.
