New data highlights importance of including beef in Environment Bill to tackle UK’s complicity in global deforestation

“Today, new UK government data showed UK consumption of beef and leather accounts for the biggest share of the UK’s imported deforestation footprint. 

"The beef sector is the biggest driver of deforestation in Brazil, which has devastating impacts on the tropical ecosystems of the Amazon and the Cerrado, the indigenous peoples and local communities who depend on them and the global climate. 

"Global Witness’s own investigations have directly highlighted the role of UK firms and banks in beef supply chains that are driving the deforestation crisis. 

"Today’s data makes it clear that if the Environment Bill is to have any real impact on the UK’s complicity in global deforestation then the regulations behind the Bill – currently being drawn up by officials - must include beef right from the start. There should be no room in British supermarkets for beef tied to rainforest destruction.”