Governor of Mato Grosso approves policy for livestock sustainability.

The governor of Mato Grosso, Mauro Mendes, sanctioned this Wednesday (17) the state policy for the sustainability of the bovine and buffalo livestock production chain. With the measure, the state instituted a phased program for the implementation of socio-environmental monitoring of its herd, the Green Passport, which will come into effect from 2026.

With a market-oriented approach, the new policy establishes criteria to verify biodiversity within properties, stimulate increased productivity, and implement – in a safe manner – a socio-environmental traceability system for rural properties, with the goal of ensuring that meat production in Mato Grosso is aligned with the Forest Code and the requirements of any market. 

Following the deadlines of the National Cattle Identification Plan (PNIB), the proposal foresees a phased, inclusive, and safe implementation, where small producers will have time and resources to adapt. From 2033 onwards, it will be possible to track animals from birth to slaughter, integrating official databases and sanitary and environmental control systems.

“The Green Passport is a strategic response to the growing demands for transparency, sustainability, and socio-environmental responsibility in food production. Mato Grosso leads the national ranking of beef exports, preserves more than 60% of its territory, and seeks, with the new policy, to guarantee and expand access to markets,” assessed the president of the Mato Grosso Institute of Meat (Imac), Caio Penido.

The Secretary of State for Economic Development, César Miranda, highlighted that the Green Passport represents a historic advancement for livestock farming. With this law, Mato Grosso takes a decisive step towards consolidating its position among the largest suppliers of monitored, sustainable animal protein in the world.

“It’s not just about meeting international requirements, but a long-term strategy to guarantee competitiveness, open markets, and value the work of those who produce legally. The great merit of the Green Passport is that it excludes no one. It creates conditions for large, medium, and small properties to adapt, with technical support, guidance, and modern socio-environmental monitoring tools. This democratizes access to the most demanding markets and puts all producers on an equal footing,” Miranda pointed out.

The president of the Mato Grosso Agriculture and Livestock Federation (Famato), Vilmondes Tomain, emphasized that the project was built through the joint work of livestock farmers, industries, the State Government, and Imac to create a policy that is not only market-oriented but also meets the needs of everyone involved in the supply chain.

“Mato Grosso reaffirms its leadership in sustainable production by ensuring, through law, the traceability of livestock farming, in a joint effort with the entire supply chain. This measure adds value to Mato Grosso beef and provides predictability for those who invest and work in the field. For producers, especially small and medium-sized ones, the program delivers clear rules, environmental regulation, and legal security,” stated Tomain.

Without any regulatory oversight for the producer, the law aims to demonstrate the competitive advantages of Mato Grosso beef and prepare the supply chain for any future socio-environmental restrictions. "With common sense and alignment among all links in the chain, we intend to show that there is no more sustainable beef in the world than Mato Grosso beef," concludes Penido.