Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have urged the Federal Government to disclose the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with a livestock processing company, JBS, before it begins operations in Nigeria.

The CSOs made the remark at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop to examine the potential consequences of embracing industrial animal farming in Nigeria.

JBS is the world’s largest meat corporation with its headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil and branches in five continents.

However, in the last few years, the corporation has faced multiple allegations and legal actions for misconduct.

The allegations are particularly in the areas of environmental degradation, labour issues, and misleading sustainability claims.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action, Mariann Bassey-Olsson, warned that JBS’s entry could harm Nigeria’s environment and farmers if due diligence and transparency were ignored.

Ms Bassey-Olsson demanded that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be conducted and published.

She emphasised that Nigerians deserved to know the content of the agreement and potential risks involved.

According to her, multinational firms often promise jobs but offer locals only menial positions, keeping managerial roles for their own nationals.

She stated, “Our lives matter and it should be people over profit; we have seen multinational ventures in this country that left communities polluted and economically broken.We are not anti-development, we just want investments done rightly, protecting people, the environment, and future generations.

“We have the Greenpeace reports linking JBS to illegal practices in Brazil, including pollution, tax evasion, and unethical cattle sourcing; these should not be overlooked or swept under the carpet.”

Ms Bassey-Olsson added that Nigerians should not be gullible to believe that multinationals were coming to better their lives, noting that they were coming for profit, using any means necessary.

Also, Director of Programmes, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Joyce Brown, alleged that the activities of JBS, which is industrial animal farming, risked polluting water, land grabbing and small holder farmers displacement.

She noted that foods produced by such companies often were for export, leaving host communities with little benefit or without food security improvement.

“The government must ensure full environmental assessments before approving such investments and there must be stronger regulations and community involvement before such agreements are signed,” Ms Brown stressed.

However, Director of Veterinary Services, Cross River State Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture, Dr Jude Udiandeye, argued that industrial farming could aid food production if properly controlled and monitored by authorities.

He said Nigeria could no longer depend solely on subsistence farming to feed its growing population.

Mr Udiandeye urged government at all levels to ensure strict enforcement of environmental regulations for multinationals operating in the nation.

On his part, Programme Manager, Cross River Agriculture Development Programme (ADP), Bassey Emogor, emphasised the importance of awareness, consultation, and fairness before granting land to multinational investors.

He noted that companies should liaise with state agricultural agencies before acquiring land to ensure transparency and protect farmers’ interests.

In November 2024, the FG signed a letter of intent with JBS for a $2.5 billion investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The investment includes building six modern meat-processing plants across Nigeria. 

(NAN)