Due diligence on forest risk commodities

It is vital that the recovery from COVID-19 helps us to build a greener, fairer and more resilient global economy. Protecting precious forest environments is central to tackling climate change, ensuring that people have secure livelihoods, and protecting the natural systems on which we all rely. But these forests are under threat, primarily because of the expansion of agriculture. Responsible businesses, civil organisations and governments are working with farmers and land owners to improve the sustainability of these supply chains and protect forests. But many of the products we buy in the UK use ingredients that have been produced in countries where there is a high risk of deforestation. We are launching this consultation to seek your view on whether the UK Government should introduce a new law designed to prevent forests and other important natural areas from being converted illegally in to agricultural land. The law we are proposing would require a relatively smal