THE UK Government has announced plans to clamp down on illegal deforestation and protect rainforests, as it consults on a new law to clean up the country’s supply chains.

The proposals would prohibit larger businesses operating in the UK from using products grown on land that was deforested illegally. These businesses would be required to carry out due diligence on their supply chains by publishing information to show where key commodities – for example, cocoa, rubber, soy and palm oil – came from and that they were produced in line with local laws protecting forests and other natural ecosystems.

Businesses that fail to comply would be subject to fines, with the precise level to be set at a later date.

International Environment Minister Lord Goldsmith said: “We have all seen the devastating pictures of the world’s most precious forests being cleared, often illegally, and we can’t afford not to act as a country. There is a hugely important connection between the products we buy and their wider environmental footprint, which is why the government is consulting today on new measures that would make it illegal for businesses in the UK to use commodities that are not grown in accordance with local laws.

“There has been a lot of progress already to make the UK’s supply chains more sustainable, but more needs to be done.”

The consultation will run for six weeks and will seek views from UK and international stakeholders.

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