Environmentalists Warn of Increased Deforestation and Animal Welfare Risks
Environmentalists are voicing concerns that the UK’s recent trade deal with Australia may pave the way for a similar pact with South American nations, raising alarms over deforestation for intensive farming in the Amazon and potential violations of UK animal welfare standards. The EU previously reached a deal with the Mercosur bloc, comprising Latin American countries, to reduce tariffs and trade barriers, but this has drawn criticism due to the environmental impact on tropical forests.
The UK government has expressed hopes that the Australia agreement will support its bid to join the trans-Pacific partnership (CPTPP) alongside nations such as Japan and Mexico. However, the Eurogroup taskforce, a coalition dedicated to animal welfare, cautions that this approach could fund harmful practices abroad, eroding the UK’s progress in animal rights.
Animal Equality has raised fears that a South America trade deal would accelerate deforestation, diminish Brazilian biodiversity, and heighten zoonotic disease risks. Within Brazil’s Amazon, vast areas are cleared to raise cattle and plant soy for animal feed, a practice contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
Claire Bass of Humane Society International points out that intensive farming methods in South America, such as battery cages and sow stalls long banned in the UK, remain common. This confinement of animals can foster disease spread, potentially conflicting with UK public expectations for humane standards.
Cornelia Maarfield of the Climate Action Network notes that increased South American beef production due to a potential EU-Mercosur deal could drive annual deforestation by 25%, adding climate costs that outweigh economic gains.
