Where: Midwest and Northeast regions of Brazil
Sector: Agriculture & forestry
About the project
In 2023, the Stop Financing Factory Farming Coalition along with Brazilian civil society organizations launched a short campaign to oppose an IFC’s investment in unsustainable dairy production, consisting of an equity participation in Alvoar Lacteos, a Brazilian dairy giant formed by the merger of two large companies. Sinergia Animal conducted an investigation to document and expose the faulty animal welfare standards of Alvoar’s suppliers and the environmental harms the latter caused, in violation of the IFC’s Performance Standards. Despite the firm opposition by local and international civil society groups, the IFC ultimately approved the investment. Sinergia Animal recently followed up with the IFC to inquire about Alvoar’s progress in implementing the environmental and social action plan, without receiving a response to date.
Relevant IFC standards that were violated
  • Performance Standard 1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
  • Performance Standard 2 Labor and Working Conditions
  • Performance Standard 3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
  • Performance Standard 4 Community Health, Safety, and Security
  • Performance Standard 6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources