This paper draws on insights from the event “Traceability: Enhancing Transparency and Market Access,” held virtually on August 21, 2025, as part of a year-long initiative on sustainable agriculture in the lead-up to COP30. The event was organized through a partnership among the Brazil Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Arcos Dorados, Marfrig, and the World Wide Fund for Nature – Brazil (WWF-Brazil). Moderated by Giulia Branco Spiess, senior associate at the Brazil Program, the session convened leading representatives from science, industry, government, and civil society to examine how cattle traceability can enhance transparency, competitiveness, and sustainability in the beef supply chain.
The discussion featured Ivan Bergier, senior researcher at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), who presented technological advances in network-based traceability systems and digital integration tools; Mariana Fontalvo, veterinary inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), who outlined the National Plan for Individual Identification of Cattle and Buffaloes (PNIB); Fábio Montossi, senior researcher at Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), who detailed Uruguay’s integrated meat traceability system; Marcelo Secco, chief executive officer of Marfrig Uruguay, who described how the meat industry leverages Uruguay’s traceability framework to create value and meet global market standards; and Gabriel Serber, vice president of social impact and sustainable development (ESG) at Arcos Dorados, who analyzed the private sector’s role in advancing sustainable, deforestation-free supply chains.
The insights generated during this dialogue form the basis of this paper, which synthesizes key findings and policy recommendations to be presented at COP30 as part of a broader agenda to promote sustainable agriculture in Latin America.
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