Benefiting
Our People

Well-being as a pillar of support for employees

Our culture values life and health, especially during the pandemic
‍
Minerva's fundamental principles are the well-being of its employees and the promotion of a safe workplace. Our operations have firm foundations on a series of guidelines expressed in our Code of Ethics and initiatives focused on quality of life.
‍

Minerva Foods in numbers:

WE ARE

+ 19.000

Employees

We export to

+100

COUNTRIES

WE ARE PRESENT IN the

CONTINENTS

WE FEED the

whole World

Production in Brazil

390

thousand tons

Production in other countries

670

thousand tons

Job creation, income and professional
opportunities in

South-American
cities

30%

Reduction of the rate of work-related accidents and

fatalities throughout the year

Ombudsman Channel available

24x7

in all operating
countries

With such a large staff and a presence in several regions of the world, we take care to always promote health, quality of life, and professional and personal balance for our employees.

One of our supporting tools is the Estar Bem Program, which brings together the various initiatives aimed at providing physical and psychological support to our professionals and their families.

The program includes different actions that work on theory, practice, and creativity. These include: Ergonomic activities, functional gymnastics, meditation, yoga, as well as medical, psychological, and therapeutic support, manager follow-up, coaching, and motivational talks.

Our work during the pandemic

We believe that the company of the future goes beyond its business, with an eye on its people
‍
We have already started a contingency plan in the first quarter of 2020 to guarantee the integrity of our employees and, at the same time, ensure the continuity of our production - essential for the feeding of society.
‍
As a result, many processes, activities, and routines in all plants had to be reformulated in order to fully meet the health safety requirements oriented by the World Health Organization (WHO).
‍
Since then, we have been operating with a series of preventive measures in order to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus. These initiatives are aligned with the protocols established by the authorities; as well as with the multidisciplinary assistance of infectious disease specialists; process engineers; and nurses from the Albert Einstein Hospital to validate, direct, and monitor the adopted measures.
‍
We have continued actions for monitoring, control, and health management, such as checking the temperature of employees, suppliers, and service providers; early influenza vaccination; and screening and monitoring of suspected and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
‍
The safety initiatives also included the removal of more than 900 at-risk employees, with no loss of pay, and the implementation of a home office setup for another 800 employees. All those who live in risk areas also receive rapid testing for COVID-19.
‍
In addition, all direct and third-party employees affected by the pandemic received medicine allowances, food aid, expense allowances, assistance by healthcare professionals, 13th salary advances, and other benefits.

Strong presence in supporting social issues

We strive to meet the needs of the community
‍
Minerva Foods consistently endeavors to support social issues that involve people in the communities where it is present, as well as the employees and their families.
‍
Our investments in training and family support have always been relevant, however, in 2020, the matter became even more evident due to the pandemic.
‍
Very often, we are the largest company located in the small and medium-sized towns where we are present. This awakens a sense of duty to help the local communities, directly supporting the public authorities and other social institutions.
‍
Being aware of our role, we invested more than R$43 million donating various items such as food, personal protection equipment, 70% alcohol gel, hygiene and cleaning items, hospital equipment, and medication.

We have also contributed financially to the construction of the new facility at the Butantan Institute for the production of vaccines against Covid-19; we have donated financial resources to hospitals, clinics and awareness campaigns in benefit of the communities. We also keep renting mobile ICUs in different cities and, in the last few months, we have collaborated with hospitals by providing oxygen cylinder refills

In a scenario where many people have lost their sources of income, we created the Mãos que Criam project, supported by the City Hall of Paranatinga/MT. This project promotes women's entrepreneurship providing free sewing lessons to women looking to start a business making clothing, accessories and masks.

And, because we believe that education can transform the world by promoting opportunities and social development, we created Educar para Transformar (Educate to Transform). In this program, we promote inclusive education by donating school materials for the children of employees and children registered in the public school system. In 2020, more than 5,900 employees received school supplies for their children.

Personal Respect: a Fundamental Principle

We have a strong presence in the supply chain in order to combat non-compliance
‍
We act vigorously in order to eradicate situations that are not in line with the Human Rights principles. Our operation complies with the respective laws of each country, as well as strictly following our Code of Ethics.
‍
The adhesion to the National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor is one of the Company's fronts for action, of which it has participated since 2005.
‍
Today, the work of following up and supporting the companies' activities regarding the Pact's undertakings is coordinated by the National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor Institute (InPacto). The pact contains a list of ten commitments adopted by the signatories to prevent and combat the slave-like labor in their supplier network. The performance of these activities is monitored on an annual basis.
‍
In 2020, we conducted a campaign to engage all cattle and other input suppliers to adhere to the principles of the Pact and adopt criteria for monitoring the occurrence of forced or child labor in our supply chain.
‍
Another initiative during the year was the creation of an assessment of the Human Rights-related risks present in our value chain. From this evaluation, we built a gradual origin of risks and set a series of actions to expand our preventive and mitigating actions towards the subject.

Minerva Foods Social

2 / 5

Rural Communities Assistance Project (PASCOR)

The PASCOR project provides professional training courses to help Communities living in the proximity of our operations in the Pará state to diversify their sources of income.

Courses included workshops that taught participants to sew masks and produce artesian soap. As part of the project, approximately 4,000 masks were produced and distributed for free to the local community.

4 / 5

Young Apprentice Program

We believe that entering the job market should be supported in diverse ways, providing opportunities for all.

At Minerva, we have the Young Apprentice Program, which hires young people to occupy future technical positions. The selection process aims to insert the youth in sectors according to his/her profile and his/her technical course in progress.

*Photos taken before the pandemic

5 / 5

Projeto Acolhida

We adhered to the strategy of interiorization of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, led by the Federal Government through Operação Acolhida.

As we participate in the initiative, we offer an opportunity for people to settle and develop themselves in the country, promoting, above all, the exchange of culture and learning. Since late 2019, we have provided the refugees with benefits such as housing, food, transportation, Portuguese language courses, training, and certification at the Rolim de Moura plant in Rondônia.

5 / 5

Projeto Arrastão

We partner with and support the Projeto Arrastão, a non-profit organization that shelters and provides support to low-income, at-risk families in the Campo Limpo neighborhood, in São Paulo.

Minerva Foods donates 340 kilos of beef every month to supplement the nutrition of over 1,000 people assisted by the project on a daily basis.

5 / 5

Inclusion Program for People with Disabilities

An initiative to train professionals, according to the needs of the market. In partnership with the Barretos Municipal Government, since 2016, we have inaugurated two classrooms, built in the Solange Lana de Ávila Community Rehabilitation Center, to hold free courses directed at people with disabilities. Participants receive technical, theoretical and practical training, in two modules, with the possibility of becoming part of the Company.

1 / 5

Winter Clothing Campaign

In 2020, approximately 600 employees engaged in a campaign to collect winter clothing and blankets for at-risk people.

In total, they collected 1,450 items that were then distributed to residents of the cities in which the Company operates.

*Photos taken before the pandemic

1 / 5

Natal Luz

Our team of employees is engaged to brighten the Christmas of many low-income families. Through "Natal Luz", we collect gifts and food baskets to be delivered to the communities where we operate. I

n 2020, we doubled the amount collected when compared to 2019, making many people's Christmas even happier.

*Picture taken before the pandemic

1 / 5

Trainee Program

Both for people in progress and recent graduates, our trainee program involves job rotation, where professionals go through different areas in our Company and then develop in their area of activity. Besides promoting the diversity of ideas, the Minerva Foods Trainee program seeks to ensure the training of professionals, with specific knowledge and qualities, and to promote even more innovation within the Company. We believe in the potential of young talent and we want to encourage their professional development, preparing them to overcome the different challenges that they will encounter within and outside the Company.

*Photos taken before the pandemic

1 / 5

Internship program

With the objective of contributing to the formation of young people, our internship program has a journey that involves training, workshops, mentoring, and projects, where they learn and develop in specific areas of the Company.

*Photos taken before the pandemic

Useful Documents

CODE OF ETHICS

MINERVA CONNECTION - Internal and External Ombudsman

National Pact for the Eradication of Slave Labor - Brazil

Dedication
to the Planet

Commitment to environmental responsibility throughout the entire livestock chain

We believe that having the ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) as the pillar of our management is fundamental to our business. Moreover: it is an attitude that has the potential to generate highly positive impacts for humanity.
‍
For this reason, we are always striving to continuously improve in this regard, committed towards a sustainable future in food production for the world. For us, this matter is so important that, in 2020, we created the Sustainability Committee with participation of our main leaders. In addition to the CEO and the CFO, the Committee relies on executives holding key positions in the Company. All united in the goal of promoting the Company's strategy for sustainability, based on two important initiatives: the traceability of suppliers and the combat against deforestation in South America.
‍
In order to achieve this, we rely on a geospatial monitoring technology that allows for real-time monitoring of the conditions of the farms that supply Minerva Foods. This ensures that our products are not linked to deforested areas; areas under environmental embargo; encroachment in Indigenous Lands and Conservation Areas.

By means of this tool, we are the first company in the country having 100% of our direct suppliers mapped in the Amazon, Cerrado, Pantanal, and Atlantic Rainforest. All these territories combined represent more than 11 million hectares monitored each day in Brazil.

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, we monitor the occurrence of slavelike and child labor, by reviewing the database of employers who have submitted workers to the conditions stated above, thus resulting in being placed on a list of suppliers blocked from trading with the Company.

In 2020, to collaborate with the implementation of the Amazon Cattle Supplier Monitoring Protocol, we incorporated into our monitoring system the productivity index for 100% of the cattle purchases made in the states of the Amazon biome. Based on this criterion, properties that exceed the limit of 3 heads of cattle, per hectare, per year must submit a declaration of productivity.

Our work in traceability of the supply chain extends throughout South America. In Paraguay, we have more than 1,200 ranches registered in the geographic monitoring tool, representing 75% of all cattle monitored against illegal deforestation, encroachment on indigenous lands and environmental protection areas. This means that we monitor more than 3 million hectares throughout the paraguayan territory.
‍
Part of our commitment is to make viable the continuous evolution of territorial traceability systems. Minerva Foods expects that by 2021, 100% of animals will be monitored in Paraguay, as well as initiating implementation of the monitoring system in Colombia.
‍
INDIRECT SUPPLIERS
‍
The biggest challenge for the entire industry is the monitoring of indirect suppliers. However, we have kept up our activities focusing on the prosperity of the chain and, as innovators, we became the first company in the sector to test and integrate into our systems a risk assessment tool for indirect suppliers in the Amazon, VISIPEC. This initiative is supported by organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Earth, and Wisconsin-Madison University. Test results indicate a more than 99% compliance with the best practices criteria defined by the Indirect Suppliers Working Group. And we didn't stop there! In August 2021, after calibration tests and analysis of results, it was possible to implement the tool in our internal systems four months ahead of schedule, making Minerva the first company in the industry to incorporate it into its activities.

In this way, Minerva Foods moves forward in the monitoring of its suppliers and the possibility of reaching its goal of zero illegal deforestation by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to fighting climate change and protecting the ecosystem.

You can check out the historical background of the work accomplished through our Timeline at here

Learn more at:

GTFI and Best Practices:
https://gtfi.org.br/
‍

Visipec:
https://www.visipec.com/
‍

Visipec FAQ:
Download pdf
‍

‍Technical Cooperation and Testing Agreement

Note: All tests were conducted utilizing data available only at the rural property information level, such as available in public databases - subject to data protection laws.

SMGEO PROSPEC
Continuing to address the challenges of monitoring indirect suppliers, we have introduced ahead of schedule, yet another initiative in our commitment to sustainability. In partnership with Niceplanet Geotechnology, we have launched the SMGeo Prospec App for rural producers all over Brazil, enabling them to determine the compliance of their supply chain by means of socio-environmental analyses throughout the country.

This new application uses the same technology that has allowed us to gain expertise in traceability and, successively, to achieve the best results among major players in the evaluation by the Federal Public Ministry, the primary and most reliable third-party verification procedure in the agricultural and livestock chain. This allows us to share with rural producers the same database used to monitor suppliers and map the risk for all our commercialization.
‍
Did you miss the launch event? Click on the video below to watch

Yet another action undertaken as part of theMinerva Foods Commitment to Sustainability. To learn more, click here. ‍

LOW-CARBON PRODUCTION
Together with Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) and Corteva, we are developing an engagement and collaborative action program with suppliers regarding the implementation of low carbon livestock farming. The program aims to apply the latest technology available to measure the carbon balance on the properties of suppliers, offer technical support to owners in order to implement more sustainable practices on their ranches, and also support them in their production efficiency gains.

‍WORTH MENTIONING!
Our monitoring system undergoes an annual audit. In Brazil, it is carried out according to the commitments undertaken in the Terms of Adjustment of Conduct (TAC) for Livestock with the Federal Prosecution Office; based on the Public Commitment for Livestock. We also conduct independent audits in Paraguay, following the commitment undertaken for the monitoring of purchases in the country.
‍
The Company has the best results in the industry, obtaining 100% compliance in the Federal Prosecution Office's audit, the most rigorous of the industry, establishing its position as the number one in the fight against climate change.

Main Indicators:

Water
consumption

-10%

reduced

The operations in Brazil registered a -13.7% reduction in water consumption, while in the other countries the reduction was -7.6% compared to 2019.

Recycled
Waste

+4,200

tons

of recycled waste in all operating countries
2,584 tons were recycled in Brazil and 1,660 tons in the other countries.

Energy
consumption

100%

clean

reduced

The Company is the first in the industry to achieve a 100% clean and sustainable energy matrix. This was made possible through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (I-RECs) from wind and hydroelectric sources.

Greenhouse
gases

zero

reduced

net Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
‍In addition, the Company stopped emitting more than 38,000 tons of CO2e by planting trees in reforestation areas.

Uso de Recursos Hídricos

Attention to responsible water use is permanent and vital for business sustainability. Minerva treats and utilizes water resources in compliance with standards established by local legislation and by the licenses and grants obtained. Measures to reduce consumption are communicated in a hands-on approach among employees, who become partners in identifying advancement opportunities in management and improvements.
‍
The initiatives have been successful. By 2020, we achieved a 13.7% reduction in total water consumption in the plants of Brazil and 7.6% in the other countries.
‍
This data represents a result of Minerva Foods' efforts to adopt the best practices in controlling water consumption.
In regards to effluents, wastewater is treated and disposed of according to the guidelines of the regulatory agencies and the licenses obtained. Effluents generated in the production plants, for example, are sent to an onsite Effluent Treatment Station (ETE). At these stations, the physical-chemical and biological treatments of the disposed water are carried out.

Through these practices, the Company fulfills the environmental standards and the parameters established by the International Finance Corporation. In addition, it has invested in more sustainable methods of treated effluent disposal, such as fertigation systems.
‍
The treated effluent in these systems is no longer discharged into a body of water but rather used for pasture irrigation. The various environmental benefits include the prevention of river pollution and the reduction of GHG emissions, since the irrigated pasture does not receive fertilizer and no longer emits nitrogen into the atmosphere, in addition to becoming more fertile.
‍
Our investments are considerable. Minerva Foods invested over R$ 14 million to improve the primary and secondary wastewater treatment at its plants. This amount of investment only includes the period between 2019 and 2020.

Waste
Management

All of our plants have a Solid Waste Management Plan (PGRS), which includes the separation, control, and correct disposal of the waste, divided into industrial, common, and hazardous waste.

‍
We also carry out the composting of the waste generated in larger volumes in the industrial plants, the rumen and sludge from the effluent treatment stations. In the last year, more than 47,000 tons of waste were composted at all operations.

‍
Also, the Company destined more than 4,200 tons of waste for recycling, and it has adopted reverse logistics for its product packaging in some states of Brazil and in Colombia.
‍
‍

Emission Control

All our activities are monitored by strict protocols, with systematically evaluated results.
‍
Our commitment to fight climate change and protect the ecosystem focuses on a low-emissions future. In this regard, efforts related to energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions control are in the center of our sustainable strategy and we work tirelessly to structure actions capable of reducing, avoiding, and mitigating GHG emissions in the atmosphere.
‍
Since 2014, we have developed our Annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory based on the GHG Protocol international reference methodology, taking into account all of its operations.
‍

In the last year, we brought scope 2 emissions to zero through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) for all our operations, ensuring a clean and sustainable energy source. We have also removed more than 38,000 tons of CO2e by planting trees in reforestation areas and started accounting for scope 3 emissions, including those from business travels, cattle transportation, and primary product logistics.
‍
Two other significant achievements that reinforce our responsible attitude towards the environment are the entries of Minerva Foods in relevant portfolios of the Stock Exchange, the B3.
‍
The first of these is the Carbon Efficient Index - ICO2, a result of our efforts to combat climate change and the consequent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; and the second is the Corporate Sustainability Index - ISE, reinforcing our commitment to the advancement of the sustainability agenda to add value to investors.

Our performance:

Absolute Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions - tCO2e

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity - (tCO2e/t produced)

Did you know?

‍

In 2020, through our subsidiary Athena Foods, we acquired the production plant in Bucaramanga, Colombia. At this plant, we have 1,471 solar panels installed in the corrals area, producing about 1,965 KW/h of renewable energy and reducing the emission of 205 metric tons of CO2 annually. The energy produced by this system is equivalent to 10% of the plant's consumption.

Impact Management in the Value Chain

Reference files:

Occupational Health and Safety, Environment, Food Safety and Social Responsibility Policy

Public Livestock Commitment Audit Reports

Federal Public Ministry Audit Reports

Independent Monitoring Audit Reports in Paraguay

Sourcing Calendar

Greenhouse Gas Inventories

Study "10 years of Terms of Adjustment of Conduct in Pará and the Public Commitment on Cattle Ranching”

Case:Minerva Foods and ESG data management in multiple units and differentcountries

Indirect Supplier Ranches Monitoring Program

SASB Report

Carbon Footprint Management Plan - Uruguay

Product Quality and Respect for Life

Performance guided by the best global standards in food production

We maintain strict quality control, while preserving the health of the cattle and the safety of our consumers
‍
We often say, ''From field to table, we are committed to ensuring food quality and safety throughout the production cycle''.

The quality of the beef we produce in Brazil and in other South American countries in which we are present is certified by various international standards. Among them is the British Retail Consortium Global Standard (BRCGS), which is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
‍
For 2020, all operations in Brazil were performed in units duly certified by an independent organization, in accordance with internationally recognized standards for food management and safety.
‍
Both Paraguay and Uruguay have now achieved 100% certification of their production. In Argentina, 92.5% of the production is performed in units that possess recognized certifications. In Colombia, rates approaching 100% were obtained.
‍
Excellence of our quality management system is reflected in the fact that, last year, the Company maintained all its export certifications to different markets, operating in more than 100 countries around the world. Furthermore, no product recalls have been recorded from any source.

Tools

Minerva uses several control mechanisms to ensure the quality of its production.
‍
Find out more:
‍
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) - The objective is to ensure safety and integrity in every link of the production chain;
‍
Standard Operating Hygiene Procedure (SOPH) – Determines all hygiene procedures;
‍
Sanitary Operating Procedure (SOP) – It guarantees the production of quality food, safe and free of any contaminants.
‍
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) – As the name implies, adopted procedures to protect the health of the consumer, employees, and the environment.
‍
Animal Welfare - Handling procedures that ensure the wellbeing of the cattle, at the time of slaughter and throughout the entire production chain.

Product Traceability

Minerva Foods' value chain involves: the slaughter of cattle;elaboration of processed products from cattle, swine and broilers;supply of inputs for ingredients based on bovine raw material; itdistributes packaged and frozen products of its own brands and otherbrands of raw materials for cattle, pigs, broilers, sheep and fish,and also operates in the transport of live cattle. All operations andbusiness structure are guided by responsible animal welfare governance practices. Below is a summary of Minerva Foods operationsinvolving different animal species:

Species	Slaughter	Product processing	Ingredients	Distribution	% total chain	Countries
Cattle	X	X	X	X	97,43	Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay
Broilers		X		X	1,34	Brazil, Argentina
Swine		X		X	0,87	Brazil, Argentina
Sheep				X	0,5	Brazil, Paraguay
Fish				X	0,31	Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay

‍
In 2020, we introduced a QR Code on the packages of our Estância 92 line and, in 2021, for Minerva Angus.
‍
Through this code, we can now offer consumers a new experience that goes beyond the quality and flavor of our products. By scanning the image, they will be able to access information regarding the origin of the animal and the system of production used; data on quality certifications; access to the results of Sustainability audits; in addition to the characteristics of the beef cut.

Programa de
Bem-estar Animal

Animal Welfare:
a fundamental principle
in our operation

We have a zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, and mistreatment, in addition to adopting procedures based on internationally recognized protocols.

‍

Our performance

Animal welfare is a central element in the operations of Minerva Foods.
‍
Careful handling begins at the moment the cattle are acquired and continues through rigorous evaluations on the handling and application of good practices of industry procedures and supplier monitoring. Our policy is zero-tolerance for abuse, neglect or mistreatment of animals, followed by disciplinary policies in the event of misconduct.

Our operations are based on internationally recognized codes and standards, in addition to adhering to the laws pertinent to the countries in which we operate. We comply with legislations such as Regulation 1099 of the European Union; the Protocol of the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) of the United States; and the Traceability Regulations of the European Union and Chile.

We follow the principles of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare recommended by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC).
1- Nutrition: sufficient food and water
2- Environment: comfortable and pleasant facilities
3- Health: health assurance, fitness and freedom from injury
4- Behavioural Interactions: display of natural behavior
5- Mental State: free of stress
‍
In 2020, Minerva launched the Animal Welfare Program, designed to enhance this objective; establishing a series of procedures and controls for production units, during transport and ranches.
‍
The Company created the Animal Welfare Committee (BEA) to enable faster and more assertive decision making. This group is made up of leaders in areas such as sourcing, logistics, quality, animal welfare, and communication. Together, they are tasked with defining actions for continuous improvement and investments in effective measures to optimize handling procedures. We train all those involved in the operations and conduct routine compliance checks at all production units. Additionally, we have professionals dedicated to Animal Welfare in all our production units.
‍
Throughout 2020, we have invested more than R$ 1 million in initiatives and actions aimed exclusively on animal welfare. We also started to track 42 indicators, 17 more than in the previous year, taking into account key processes such as handling of loading at farms, transportation, unloading, and installations, among others.
‍
Our production units in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, in addition to the plants in Rosario and Pilar, in Argentina, follow the animal welfare certification protocol of NAMI (North American Meat Institute) authored by the renowned Dr. Temple Grandin. This acknowledgement aims to ensure Animal Welfare through proper handling, governed by auditors accredited by the Professional Animal Auditor Certiﬁcation Organization (PAACO), who guarantee humane handling conditions, resulting in quality and adding value to the product. Our average compliance with the protocol criteria in 2020 was 99%, a rate of excellence.
‍
Our operations in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, also bear organic production certificates which require strict animal welfare standards for certified units.
‍
The Company achieved a level 3 ranking in The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) for 2020, demonstrating the maturity and effectiveness in promoting best practices across all operations.

Our Animals

All cattle acquired by Minerva Foods are raised with the freedom of movement and gregarious behavior, maintained and respected throughout all stages of the chain.
‍
Each lot of cattle received at Minerva units are accompanied by a Declaração do Produtor (Producer Declaration) and Carta de Garantia (Letter of Guarantee) confirming non-use of hormones and antibiotics, in addition to a full description of the veterinary medication used on each animal, respectively. 100% of the lots must be accompanied by documentation with information regarding the animals that will be slaughtered, such as the administration of medication and non-use of some anti-parasitic agents.

Supply Chain

Minerva Foods has implemented the “Declaração de Atendimento aos Critérios socioambientais, compliance e bem-estar animal” (Statement of Compliance with Socio Environmental, Compliance and Animal Welfare Criteria) in order to engage and ensure compliance with the animal welfare policy by suppliers of raw materials and ingredients of animal origin. Verification of compliance with the guidelines is conducted annually through questionnaires and on-site technical visits.
‍
The Company has developed a series of initiatives to support its cattle suppliers in the implementation of animal welfare, quality, and sustainability procedures, as part of the Laço de Confiança program. Among these initiatives are the events "Falando de Pecuária" which are held periodically to discuss livestock production techniques; animal welfare assurance at all stages of the chain; and topics on sustainability such as deforestation, waste treatment and consumption of natural resources.

In addition, Minerva periodically produces resource materials to assist its cattle suppliers, in order to promote best animal welfare practices throughout the chain. Learn more.

For all other suppliers of raw materials of animal origin, Minerva regards animal welfare as a key requisite for commercial contracts, subject to termination in cases of non-compliance with its policy.

Employee Training

One of the main guidelines at Minerva Foods aimed at preserving animal welfare is employee training.
‍
Every six months we provide training to all professionals who handle live cattle and transportation. Our corporate Quality, Cattle Purchasing, and Sustainability teams also receive frequent training by means of lectures, workshops, and national conferences.
‍
With the help of independent consultants, these campaigns are designed to strengthen the culture of animal welfare.
‍
For 2020, due to the pandemic, training was carried out through virtual platforms without interruptions; during the year 466 training sessions on animal welfare were conducted, with participation of 460 employees and 1,158 other professionals, such as drivers and suppliers.

Anotherinitiative developed by Minerva Foods, in 2021, aiming at raisingawareness with regard to animal welfare for the general public wasthe Webinar, held in partnership with the company QIMA WQS, on thetopic “Animal Welfare and Sustainability”. In this event we hadthe participation of our Animal Welfare Coordinator Tâmara DuarteBorges, who reported in detail on Minerva Foods' pioneering actionson the matter. The event had more than 100 national and internationalparticipants. Further informationlink: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6802937515897577472
‍
Also,in order to consolidate the animal welfare culture in the Company, inJuly 2021 during the "Environment Week", we invited Prof.Dr. Mateus Paranhos da Costa, one of the most renowned researchers ofthe field, to deliver two lectures to our employees at Minerva Foodsand Athena Foods, addressing the subject, “One Welfare: the conceptand its application”. Employees kept track of the lecture and, atthe end, we had a round table to clarify the main doubts. Furtherinformation link: https://www.minervafoods.com/en/noticias/during-the-environment-week-professor-mateus-paranhos-highlights-the-importance-of-a-well-being-for-everyone/

Innovation: a pillar in business strategy

Innovation is one of the five core values of Minerva Foods.
‍
Our aim is to enhance our methods in management, maximize opportunities and advance the value chain of the industry. To achieve this goal, in 2020, we created a new area dedicated to action planning with a focus on value-added business, expanding into new niche markets, the Area of Innovation.
‍
Over the last year, we have developed a number of technologically based projects aimed at the end consumer, most notably the e-commerce and marketplace platforms. New advanced data verification analysis tools were also introduced.
‍
As we continue to grow and advance in the field of innovation, we have created a framework dedicated to the subject and have just launched our first venture capital initiatives with investments in startups and technology companies that have the potential to enable the Company to take a technological leap, integrated into the value chains.
‍
With the investment of US$ 4 million, the first of these was the acquisition of a stake of Clara Foods, a food startup based in San Francisco, CA (United States), which creates fermentation-based protein products, free of animal protein. The startup utilizes ingredientes free of pesticides, antibiotics and preservatives, in addition to consuming less water and energy, in line with our strategy of sustainability.
‍
Another important milestone has been the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Amyris. The purpose is to create a joint venture focused on the development of diverse products, especially in the segment of fermentation-based alternatives to animal-based proteins, in addition to natural preservatives from fermentation that will enable meat to be transported and sold with a longer shelf-life.

Inaddition, Minerva Foods works together with Universities to promotestudies aimed at continuous improvements in the welfare of farmanimals. Projects involve both the area of origination andimprovements to facilities and operations at the units, in additionto the preparation of educational guidance material. Work developedin partnership with Minerva Foods:https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/sustentabilidade/bem-estar-animal/arquivos/RelatorioCNPQGRUPOETCO.pdf

https://www.minervafoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cartilha_Ebook_BemEstar_Animal_MinervaFoods2021.pdf

Reference Files:

Animal Welfare Policy

Animal Welfare Program

Articles on Animal Welfare

Benefiting
Our People

Well-being as a pillar of support for employees

Our work during the pandemic

Strong presence in supporting social issues