Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that UK companies investing in Brazil do not contribute to deforestation in the Amazon.

As we prepare for our independent trade policy, the UK Government is committed to upholding the UK’s high environmental standards. The Government is exploring all options in the design of future trade and investment agreements, including possible environment provisions.

The UK remains committed to protecting the world’s rainforests and will continue to do so in Brazil through International Climate Finance programmes. We believe the key to reducing deforestation is to work in partnership with Brazil and through HMG programmes the UK Government has committed £131 million to support REDD Early Movers, Rural Sustentavel and Partnerships for Forests. The UK government recently committed a further £10 million in support.