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BERTIN LTDA

Environmental & Social Review Summary

This Environmental and Social Review Summary is prepared and distributed in advance of the IFC Board of Directors’ consideration of the proposed transaction. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of IFC’s activities, and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board of Director’s decision. Board dates are estimates only.
Any documentation which is attached to this Environmental and Social Review Summary has been prepared by the project sponsor and authorization has been given for public release. IFC has reviewed this documentation and considers that it is of adequate quality to be released to the public but does not endorse the content.
Project number 23792
CountryBrazil
SectorFood & Beverages
DepartmentAgribusiness
Company nameBERTIN LTDA
Environmental categoryA
StatusActive
Date ESRS disclosedNovember 24, 2006
Previous EventsInvested: September 11, 2007
Signed: June 5, 2007
Approved: March 8, 2007
View Summary of Proposed Investment (SPI), click here
OverviewCategory & Applicable StandardsKey Issues & MitigationCommunity EngagementsAvailability of Full Documentation

Overview of IFC's scope of review
IFC’s review of this Category A project consisted of appraising technical, environmental, occupational health and safety and social development information submitted by the project Sponsor including the review of documentation provided by the sponsor regarding its operations throughout Brazil and of a tannery, currently under construction, in China.

The following site visits were carried out by social and environmental specialists:


- Bertin’s facilities in Sao Paulo state (November 2004 and May 2006);
- Bertin’s Marabá slaughterhouse and suppliers; first public consultation (April 2006);
- Bertin’s plants and farms in Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás (May-June 2006);
- Sacre 2 – Small Hydroelectric Unit (June 2006);
- Bertin’s tanneries and shoe factory in Pará; final public consultation (July 2006);
- Pre-disclosure consultation (predicted for 19 October, 2006);

As a result of the desk review and site visits a Corporate Action Plan (CAP) was prepared to address the various issues identified.

- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of its Marabá slaughterhouse and its supply chain of cattle ranchers, and the corresponding Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP);
- Indigenous Peoples’ Development Plan (IPDP) for Sacre 2 hydroelectric plant;
- Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan (PCDP)Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan (PCDP).
Project description
A $424 million 2005-2007 expansion and modernization investment program that includes:

- increasing slaughtering capacity by 82% by 2007, including doubling the capacity of Bertin’s slaughterhouse in Marabá;
- shifting production to value-added products in beef, leather and other by-products;
- leveraging Bertin’s brand name, logistics and client base to pursue selective acquisitions; and
- establishing an independent audit and traceability system for cattle procurement to ensure compliance with World Bank/IFC environmental and social standards as well as Brazilian federal and state regulations.

The investment program includes upgrades in information technology, cost accounting and management systems, research and development. The investment will be spread around several Brazilian states where Bertin operates.