
In all investments, BRF ensures that its partners use business processes that respect human rights, including verification of any indication of child labor or inhumane working conditions. In the case of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, associations and joint operations with other companies, these procedures are evaluated by means of internal and external audits, visits, meetings and questionnaires. During the feasibility assessment phase of investment projects, the Company also considers environmental impacts and endeavors to ensure the use of more environmentally efficient technologies.
Investment in Capex during the year amounted to R$ 2.5 billion, 25% higher than the preceding year and directed to growth, efficiency and support projects. Investments of R$ 494 million in biological assets (breeder stock) for supplying growth projects are also considered in this amount.
Two joint ventures were created in 2012 - the Rising Star Food Company Limited (China) and the Carbery Group (Brazil) -and two companies were acquired - Quickfood (Argentina) and Federal Foods (united arab Emirates). There were also investments in plants -new units for margarine, in Vitória do Santo Antão (PE), and for sausages, in Lucas do Rio Verde (MT); expansions to poultry slaughtering facilities in Lucas do RioVerde (MT), RioVerde (GO), Dois Vizinhos (PR), Toledo (PR), Dourados (MS) and Nova Mutum (MT); the alignment of the Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Distribution Center; and the construction of the new Technology Center in Jundiaí (SP).
| R$ Million | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Prevention and management | 24.3 | 37.8 | 60.2 |
| Allocation, treatment and mitigation | 74.0 | 80.2 | 61.2 |
| Investment in forestry plantation(1) | 45.8 | 28.2 | 35.5 |
| Total | 144.1 | 146.2 | 156.9 |
(1) Until 2010, total values for projects and forests were considered. In 2011, the criterion used is the total value expended in the year. There is no change in the metric for treatment of effluent and disposal of waste.
In 2012, the Company is to accelerate its investments, principally those where execution was contingent on the approval of the merger by the anti-trust authorities. In this context, it is planning to increase the number of new products in the market compared with 2011.
Among the objectives for the international market, BRF plans to expand and improve the portfolio, increase the volume of processed products, ramp up the share in the retail market and in food services and increase the proprietary distribution network. The process involving the future opening of a plant in China should replicate the model employed in the Middle East. On the logistics front, the Company will be seeking new suppliers in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.