Together, we can create a movement to stop the sale of beef affiliated with deforestation from Nicaragua to the US and other markets. By doing so, we can safeguard the lives of the Indigenous Rama and Afro-descendent Kriols, preserve precious biodiversity and protect the planet.

Here are four things you can do now.

Support

indigenous and Afro-descendent communities

The Rama and Kriol hold joint title to a territory encompassing more than 316,720 hectares, including the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, one of the best preserved tracts of rainforest in Mesoamerica. In order to protect it, the communities organize patrols to install signage, demarcate the border of their territory and document illegal settlements to pressure the government to uphold the law.

You can help the Rama and Kriol:

  1. Spread the word about illegal deforestation and human rights abuses in Nicaragua through media and social media.
  2. Demand that the government take action to protect indigenous and Afro-descendent communities by holding up the law and prosecuting those who are invading and deforesting protected areas.
  3. Organize a documentary viewing party.

Download the toolkit

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The Indigenous Rama and Afro-descendant communities are fighting to protect their land and way of life from illegal cattle ranchers.

Demand

greater transparency and stricter controls of Nicaragua’s beef supply chains

According to Nicaraguan law, it is illegal to buy and sell cattle raised in Indigenous territories and protected areas. Cattle ranchers and buyers are “legally” required to register cattle when sold at auction houses, and truck drivers and slaughterhouses must report the movements of the cattle. The information is then recorded in a confidential government database. However, this traceability system is plagued by corruption and a lack of transparency. It is inaccessible to organizations with independent oversight authority.

For these reasons, we are demanding:

  1. The government allow an independent audit of the traceability system and that indigenous and Afro-descendent organizations be given access to view the information linked to illegal cattle sold near and around indigenous territories and protected areas.
  2. The government investigate and prosecute illegal cattle ranchers and auction houses that sell and buy cattle raised in protected areas.
  3. Beef importers demand greater transparency and stricter controls of Nicaragua's beef supply chains.
  4. Beef importers stop buying beef from slaughterhouses that source their cattle from indigenous territories and protected areas.

Sign our petition to demand these changes.

Sign the petition

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Nicaragua's supply chain is plagued by corruption and a lack of transparency and independent oversight.

Call

for approval of the FOREST Act

In Oct. 2021, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced into Congress the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act, known as The Forest Act. The act will prohibit the import of products from illegally deforested land into the US and will require importers of high-risk commodities to trace and confirm the legality of the products they sell throughout their supply chains. This in turn will exert pressure on the Nicaraguan government to safeguard protected forests and make supply chains truly transparent. Countries that fail to adhere to the Act will receive financial penalties and be required to fix broken supply chains.

These actions will help ensure that the products Americans and others consume are not contributing to the destruction of forests or to human rights violations. Help demand passage of The Forest Act.

Sign the open letter to Congress

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The Forest Act will prohibit the import of products from illegally deforested lands and will pressure the Nicaraguan government to uphold its laws.

Bring greater awareness

to importers and consumers of the origins of Nicaraguan beef and the impact of individual dietary choices

American consumers are often unaware of the origins of the beef they eat and how their personal dietary choices negatively affect the environment and Indigenous communities. To make matters worse, beef labeling practices in the US make country-of-origin labeling optional—and as a result, consumers may be complicit in deforestation and human rights violations in the Indio Maíz Reserve.

Take a moment to look at your personal dietary choices. Are they contributing to the destruction of ecosystems and biodiversity? What is an impactful thing you can do for the planet and your health? 

PATROL invites you to take action by joining the Re:wild Your Fridge challenge! Learn more about the campaign and download the social toolkit.

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Consumers may be unknowingly complicit in Nicaragua’s deforestation and human rights violations. Say no to foods that harm the planet.