A pig is looking up from a crate it is kept in with other pigs

Your money is financing meat giants like JBS

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When you think about the impact your money has, you might picture the things you buy such as groceries, clothes or homeware. But what many people don’t realise is that our money can have a much bigger reach, influencing industries we might not agree with, including factory farming giants like JBS.

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JBS is one of the largest meat producers in the world. Its operations stretch across continents, and it’s been linked to environmental destruction and animal cruelty. But what’s even more concerning is that your money could be helping fund these practices – even if you’ve never bought a single JBS product. 

How Is This Happening? 

Most of us have bank accounts, investment ISAs, or pension funds and these institutions invest in companies to make a return. Unfortunately, many of these investments are funnelled into large agribusinesses like JBS. Banks and pension funds may put your money into meat and dairy corporations as part of their strategy to grow profits. They often don't advertise this fact, and many consumers are unaware of where their money is going. 

In the case of JBS, it’s not just about meat production. The company has been involved in scandals surrounding deforestation in the Amazon, greenhouse gas emissions, and allegations of poor animal welfare standards. Yet, because JBS generates profits, it becomes an attractive investment for many financial institutions. 

Why this should matter to you 

When your money is invested in companies like JBS, it means you are indirectly supporting harmful practices, even if you're committed to making ethical choices in your daily life. It’s an issue that extends beyond personal consumption; it’s about where your money is working behind the scenes. 

The more these meat giants are funded, the more they can expand their operations, continuing to profit from the exploitation of animals who greatly suffer on factory farms. It’s a cycle that not only contributes to immense cruelty but also climate change and biodiversity loss. 

 

What can you do to prevent it? 

The good news is you don’t have to feel powerless. There are practical steps you can take to ensure your money isn’t supporting companies like JBS. 

  • Review your bank’s investments: Many high street banks invest in factory farming, but ethical alternatives exist. Check your bank’s policies and see if they disclose how they invest funds. If they are linked to factory farming, consider switching to a more ethical bank that prioritises animal welfare and environmental sustainability. 
  • Look into your pension fund: Your pension could be another area where money is being funnelled into harmful industries. Ask your pension provider where your money is invested and request a breakdown of their investments. If they are funding factory farming, you can ask them to switch to ethical investment options. Increasingly, pension providers are offering more sustainable choices as demand grows for ethical investments. 
  • Consider ethical investments: If you have investments or savingsbonds, explore funds that specifically avoid industries like factory farming, fossil fuels, or deforestation. These ethical funds focus on supporting companies that are more aligned with your values. 
  • Raise awareness: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to investigate where their money is being invested. Many people have no idea that their finances are being used in this way, and the more we raise awareness, the greater the demand will be for ethical financial products. 

We all want to do good in the world, and most of us strive to make ethical choices in our daily lives. But it’s easy to overlook the power our money holds, especially when it’s tied up in investments or pensions. By taking a few simple steps to check where your money is going, you can ensure you aren’t unknowingly financing companies like JBS that harm animals and the planet. 

Together, we can reduce the flow of money into destructive industries and build a more compassionate, sustainable world for animals and humans alike. 

Broiler chickens on a UK farm

This is urgent. It’s time to end cruelty to animals in factory farming.

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