The UK buys meat from people involved in deforestation

• Meat suppliers have cleared at least 27,000 hectares of 10 farms in Brazil’s Cerrado region to sell to big soy traders.

• Research shows that in one part of Bahia alone, more than 15,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed after the 2020 deadline.

• In addition to 850 species of birds, the Cerrado is home to about 12,000 species of plants.

Research by Mighty Earth suggests UK supermarkets may still be buying meat from suppliers involved in deforestation in Brazil.

According to the report, suppliers selling to major soy traders have cleared at least 27,000 hectares (67,000 acres) of land on 10 farms in Brazil’s Cerrado region since August 2020.

Supermarkets and retailers have been asked to cut ties with soy traders who allegedly continue to buy from suppliers who contribute to deforestation in Brazil. The report said: “Supermarkets should establish effective, fully transparent and cross-ecosystem soy monitoring and traceability systems for the Cerrado, Brazil and beyond.”

Mighty Earth campaigners have urged supermarkets to require meat suppliers to “work towards a target of selling at least 20% alternative or plant-based proteins” by 2030.

The Brazilian Cerrado is known for its biodiversity of flora and fauna and has been described as “the world’s biologically richest savanna” by the Global Fund for Nature. It is home to approximately 12,000 species of plants and 850 species of birds – 30 of which are endemic to the region.

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Dangerous data

The extent of destruction in the Cerrado is massive, the report says. The most severe case of deforestation would have occurred at Condominio Agricola Estrondo in Bahia. Research shows that more than 15,000 hectares were destroyed after the 2020 deadline. Another soy company reportedly destroyed more than 1,180 hectares of plants in one month.

The report added: “After efforts to encourage soy companies to sever ties with suppliers involved in deforestation have failed, the time has come to implement significant business consequences for the major supermarkets’ failure to deliver on their promises and fulfill their obligations.”