India emerges as second largest beef exporter in the world
New Delhi: An investigation conducted by the environmental and human rights group Global Witness, and first reported by the BBC, has implicated three of the world's leading meat producers—JBS, Minerva, and Marfrig—in illegal deforestation in Brazil's Cerrado plains. The companies, however, deny any wrongdoing. The inquiry, which focused on the state of Mato Grosso within the expansive Cerrado region, revealed that much of the deforested land for ranching owned by the three entities lacked the necessary permits, suggesting illegal activities.
This revelation comes amid the approaching deadline for companies to comply with the European Union's (EU) new regulation, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The law, effective December 30, 2024 (June 30, 2025, for micro or small businesses), requires companies selling goods to the EU to prove that their produce was not grown on land deforested after 2020, under the threat of substantial fines. Critics argue that this legislation may disproportionately impact smallholder farmers who lack the resources to provide the required data, potentially disrupting crucial revenue streams.
Products such as beef, coffee, palm oil, and soy will be among those affected by the EUDR. However, campaigners from Global Witness contend that the law falls short as it does not fully encompass the Cerrado plains, unlike the Amazon.
As of 2023, Brazil holds the position of the largest beef exporter globally, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture. Predictions from April 2023 anticipated Brazil's beef exports to surpass 3 million tons that year. Other significant players in beef exports in 2023 included India (water buffalo meat), the United States, and Australia. However, when considering countries with the highest beef production, the order differs, with the US leading due to a substantial portion of its beef being consumed domestically.
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2-year central deputation mandatory for IPS officers of 2011 batch onwards for IG empanelment: Govt
New Delhi (PTI): The government has made it mandatory for IPS officers of the 2011 batch and onwards to have a minimum of two years' experience at the SP or DIG level on central deputation to be empanelled as inspector general (IG) at the Centre, an official order said.
The move aims to ensure that senior officers have adequate ground-level working experience at the Centre, an officer in the know of the development said.
In the order issued recently, the ministry said, "A minimum of two years of central experience at SP/DIG or equivalent level shall be mandatory for empanelment of IPS officers at IG/eqvt. level at the Centre from the 2011 batch onwards."
While a similar requirement existed for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers deputed to the Centre, there was no such mandatory requirement for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers posted to Central Armed Police Forces and other positions at the IG level at the Centre.
