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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ahead of good Friday, SWR announces special train between Yesvantpur-Kannur via Mangaluru
Bengaluru: Ahead of the upcoming Good Friday festival weekend, the South Western Railway has announced a one-trip special train service between Yesvantpur Junction and Kannur via Mangaluru Junction.
According to an official released from the SWR, Train Number 06551 Yesvantpur–Kannur Express Special will depart Yesvantpur at 11.50 am on April 2 and is scheduled to arrive Kannur at 3.00 am on April 3.
In the return direction, Train Number 06552 Kannur–Yesvantpur Express Special will leave Kannur at 8.45 am on April 3 and reach Yesvantpur at 9.30 pm the same day.
The special train will halt at Kunigal, Channarayapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpura, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Bantawala, Mangaluru Junction, Kasaragod, Kanhangad and Payyannur.
The train composition will have two AC two-tier coaches, six AC three-tier coaches, seven sleeper class coaches, four general second class coaches.
