New Legislation To Protect Natural Areas

Earlier this month, as part of February’s instalment of our Environmental Calendar, we provided you with facts about the palm oil industry and useful ways that you can help decrease demand. However, it is clear that given the scale of the issue, interventions are required from the top down. So what exactly is being done at a higher level? 

Well… 

In the UK, the Government has taken action; they are fighting back against illegal deforestation. 

New legislation, introduced as part of the long-awaited Environment Bill, will make it illegal for UK businesses to use any products that do not comply with local laws to protect natural areas. Currently, half of the UK’s food is imported so this not only applies to products containing palm oil, but also agricultural produce, cocoa, rubber and soya. The laws aim to combat illegal deforestation by taking it out of the supply chain. This is a significant step towards protecting the world’s rainforest habitats and its incredible biodiversity.

Unfortunately, as a result of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on parliamentary debate time, the Environment Bill has been further delayed and most likely will not be passed until the Autumn of 2021. 

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