TWO UK poultry producers have joined major retailers in reinstating a threat to boycott Brazilian agri-produce if a controversial new law is passed.
Moy Park and Cranswick are signatories of a letter to Brazilian senators opposing legislation that would give farmers legal rights over land without authorisation.
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The Brazilian government withdrew a similar law last year following widespread international condemnation and pressure from the same group of companies.
The UK’s poultrymeat, egg and pig sectors are significant users of Brazilian soya.
Forty organisations in total – including the UK’s major retailers, other food businesses and assurance schemes like Red Tractor – have signed the letter.
Deforestation
It says: “Over the past year, we have seen a series of circumstances result in extremely high levels of forest fires and deforestation in Brazil.
“At the same time, we have noted that the targets to reduce these levels, as well as the enforcement budgets available to deliver them, are increasingly inadequate.
“It is therefore extremely concerning to see that the same measure we responded to last year is being put forward again… with potentially even greater threats to the Amazon than before.
“…If this or other measures that undermine these existing protections become law, we will have no choice but to reconsider our support and use of the Brazilian agricultural commodity supply chain.”
Conservation charity WWF told the Times the bill could “grant amnesty to land grabbers” and cause up to 16 million hectares to be deforested by 2027.
