JACI-PARANA, Brazil (AP) - JBS SA, one of the world's largest meat processing companies, along with three other slaughterhouses, is facing lawsuits seeking millions of dollars in environmental damages. The companies are accused of purchasing cattle that were raised illegally in a protected area in the Brazilian Amazon.

Filed between December 5 and 12, the lawsuits were initiated by the state of Rondonia in western Brazil. They target the exploitation of Jaci-Parana, a once lush rainforest that has been largely converted into grassland over the years due to misuse by land-grabbers, loggers, and cattle ranchers. Despite a law prohibiting commercial cattle in the reserve, the state's animal division has reported that approximately 216,000 head of cattle currently graze on the land.

What makes these lawsuits particularly significant is the evidence presented, which has drawn the attention of deforestation experts and veterans of Brazil's illegal cattle trade. Documents obtained show a direct link between the protected areas and the slaughterhouses, with transfer documents revealing that the cows were sent straight to the slaughterhouses from these protected regions. Interestingly, it appears that the information on these documents was provided by the illegal ranchers themselves.

Jair Schmitt, chief of environmental protection at Brazil's federal environmental agency, Ibama, expressed his surprise at the evidence presented. Having fought against illegal cattle-raising in the Amazon for over two decades, Schmitt stated that he had never encountered transit permits bearing the name of a conservation unit.

The lawsuits seek to hold the slaughterhouses accountable for their alleged role in the illegal cattle trade and the resulting environmental damage. The outcome of these legal actions could have significant repercussions for the meat processing industry and the protection of the Amazon rainforest.

Amazon deforestation has long been a concern for global environmentalists, who see it as a threat to biodiversity and a contributor to climate change. The illegal cattle trade is one of the major causes of deforestation in the region. Should these lawsuits result in a financial victory, they could serve as a deterrent for other companies and individuals involved in similar illegal activities.

The trial dates for these lawsuits have yet to be set, and it is expected that they will attract considerable attention both domestically and internationally. Environmental organizations and advocates will closely monitor the proceedings, as the outcome of these cases could set a precedent for the protection of the Amazon and the punishment of those involved in illegal activities within its boundaries.