Respecting and engaging with the local community in Santarém

Since we established our soybean terminal in Santarém, we have been committed to meeting all the necessary requirements, as well as respecting and contributing to the local community. 

Following a public tender process, Cargill was granted permission by the state government of Pará to construct and operate the terminal within Santarém’s existing, established port. Since then we have complied with all the relevant legal and environmental requirements, including undertaking an environmental impact study.

Unfortunately, over the past few years there have been legal disagreements over differing state and federal regulations and the need to undertake another specific environmental impact assessment – an EIA/RIMA.

Cargill has been working with the authorities to resolve this dispute and we have completed an EIA/RIMA for our Santarém facility. This was conducted by an independent specialist consultancy and we have submitted the report to the local environmental authority in Pará. The report has been shared with the local community and we have also participated in two public meetings, alongside the local authorities, to provide members of the local community with the opportunity to share their views and ask questions. We are now awaiting the assessment from the local environmental authority to conclude the process. Read a copy of our EIA/RIMA.

Making a positive contribution to the community in Santarém

Local leaders in Santarém have publicly recognized the important contribution Cargill is making to their community and a signed a statement of their support was published in the local media in April 2006. Read the statement.

Our investment and presence in Santarém is helping generate economic activity in an area which has long experienced widespread poverty, high unemployment and a lack of sustainable economic and social development.

Through our Sustainable Soy Partnership with The Nature Conservancy, we are providing on-the-ground assistance to local farmers in Santarém to comply with the Brazilian Forest Code. Less than five percent of the soybeans delivered to our Santarém terminal come from local farmers. This partnership means every local producer is evaluated to ensure they comply with the conservation laws. We only purchase from those farms that comply and it has resulted in zero deforestation in the Santarém area since 2006.

We are offering support to local small-scale farmers that grow other crops. Through the Rural Producers Association of Santarém we are providing training on agronomic practices, helping improve sanitation at the farmers’ market and supplying uniforms to vendors. We are making residue from soybean cleaning at the terminal available to farmers as a free low-grade fertilizer.

We are also building relationships with the wider community. We are working with community groups to support local initiatives, such as rebuilding and refurbishing the public library, and restoring town murals. In addition, we hold open days at the terminal so members of the local community can tour the facility and ask questions. Over 1,700 people have visited.