Supermarkets threaten Brazilian boycott over Amazon destruction [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

By Harry Holmes
5 May 2021
2 min read



Conservation groups have warned a potential new Brazilian law will legitimise illegal land grabs

British supermarkets have threatened to boycott Brazilian products if the national congress passes a bill to increase the speed of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Nearly 40 food companies have signed an open letter calling on Brazil’s legislature to reject a bill which would allow farmers legal rights over land occupied without authorisation.

Conservation groups have warned the new law will legitimise illegal land grabs and pave the way for more forests to be burned for agriculture such as beef and soy.

The same group of companies – including Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Co-op and Waitrose – made a similar threat last year but withdrew it after the Brazilian government removed the bill.

Moy Park and Pilgrim’s UK – both owned by Brazilian meat giant JBS – are also signatories. Activists have pressured supermarkets to drop JBS as a supplier after numerous alleged links to Amazonian destruction.

More:
https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/sourcing/supermarkets-threaten-brazilian-boycott-over-amazon-destruction/655749.article