UK shoppers have been warned that more than 30 everyday supermarket items, including chocolate, shampoo, cooking oil and car tyres, could disappear from shelves under new government plans to tackle illegal deforestation. The proposals, announced during London Climate Action Week, would require businesses to prove that key commodities in their products are not linked to illegally cleared rainforests.
Products affected are those containing palm oil, soy, cocoa or natural rubber – ingredients the government says are often linked to illegal deforestation in the Amazon, Indonesia and other tropical regions. Rather than banning the products, ministers plan to introduce mandatory 'due diligence' checks, forcing companies to demonstrate that their supply chains are free from illegal deforestation. If they fail, items could be pulled from sale in the UK until they comply.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said: 'Tackling global deforestation is one of the most effective ways we can address climate change and protect some of the world's most precious and unique wildlife.' She added that the measures would help give consumers confidence that the products they buy are not contributing to habitat loss overseas.
Retailers have broadly welcomed the move but urged caution. Andrew Opie of the British Retail Consortium said: 'With the EU regulation due to take effect in Northern Ireland at the end of the year, it's important that the government takes a pragmatic approach to enforcement to minimise disruption for businesses and consumers.'
Environmental groups have called for swift action. Gavin Crowden of WWF said: 'With new rules finally coming into force in Northern Ireland at the end of the year, there's no excuse for further delay that would leave shoppers in the rest of the UK still unwittingly driving the destruction of the rainforest.'
The government will launch a full consultation later this year, also considering strengthening timber regulations and potentially introducing a wider 'deforestation-free' standard covering all relevant commodities, regardless of whether deforestation was legal or illegal.
