Despite government pledges to tackle deforestation, a new investigation has revealed that the United Kingdom continues to import products linked to the destruction of tropical forests. Campaigners have slammed the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for its inaction, urging swift measures to halt the trade in deforestation-linked commodities.
The Environment Act 2021 banned using commodities produced on illegally deforested land abroad. However, the implementation of this ban has been stalled due to Defra’s failure to publish a list of the things covered by the regulations.
Zac Goldsmith, the former environment minister, expressed his frustration with the delay, stating, “The government needs to stop with the delays and U-turns and get on with it.”
An investigation conducted by Global Witness and Trase found that the UK continues to import seven commodities associated with deforestation, including palm oil, soy, and cattle products. Between November 2021 and July 2023, an estimated 20,400 hectares (50,400 acres) of deforestation were linked to UK imports.
Campaigners highlighted the UK’s weaker stance compared to the EU, whose deforestation regulation covers deforestation and forest degradation, while the UK’s ban only addresses illegal deforestation.
Veronica Oakeshott, the head of the forest campaign at Global Witness, criticized the government’s inaction, stating, “For two years, the government has been dithering about which deforestation-causing commodities to include in these regulations.”
She urged the government to align with the EU’s regulations and implement stricter measures to curb deforestation-linked imports.
Defra responded to the criticism, emphasizing its commitment to tackling illegal deforestation. However, the department’s spokesperson failed to provide a concrete timeline for publishing the list of commodities or implementing the due diligence regulations.
The continued importation of deforestation-linked products into the UK contradicts the country’s climate commitments and raises concerns about its environmental leadership. The government must act swiftly to address this issue and implement effective measures to halt the trade in products that contribute to the destruction of tropical forests.