Cargill To Spend $30M For Ideas To End Brazil Deforestation

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Cargill Inc. says it will spend $30 million to fund new ideas for ending deforestation in Brazil, and it is calling on its peers, governments and organizations to work together to come up with real solutions.

The Minnesota-based agribusiness is a major player in Brazilian soy production, which has impacted ecosystems in Brazil. Cargill said Thursday the industry is poised to fall short of its goal to eliminate deforestation in key supply chains, including soy, by 2020.

Ruth Kimmelshue is Cargill's head of supply chain and chief sustainability officer. She tells the Star Tribune that the climate is changing and there's an urgent need to take action.

Cargill has taken steps to end deforestation, but says the issue is complex. Environmental groups say businesses like Cargill are unwilling to take true leadership on the issue and must do more.

(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)