Poor local farmers are responsible for cutting down the world’s tropical forests.

Commercial agriculture and global demand for meat is driving the
degradation of the Amazon rainforest. Meat linked to deforestation
is exported all over the world.
JBS is one of Brazil’s leading exporters of beef and the world’s
largest meat company. It is potentially responsible for the destruction
of between 28,000 and 32,000 hectares (280-320 sq km) of forest
each year.
In 2020 allegations surfaced for the fifth time that year connecting
the company to farmers operating in the Amazon linked to illegal
deforestation.
Exports of Brazilian beef by the country’s three meat giants – JBS,
Minerva and Marfrig – have risen significantly over the last three
years, and are in European supermarkets.
The Zoological Society of London reports that other 13 major
companies, such as IKEA and US companies Cargill, Walmart,
Mc Donalds and Starbucks have also significantly contributed
to deforestation to produce beef, palm oil and packaging with
serious human rights concerns in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil,
Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.