Supermarket must be clear on deforestation

TESCO claim that they no longer sell beef from Brazil, and therefore, claim they have nothing to do with the environmental disaster occurring in the Amazon affecting world’s climate.

The Amazon rainforest now emits more CO2 emissions (carbon dioxide) than it absorbs.

The world is entering a phase of dangerous climate change.

Meat and dairy products have the most damaging effects on our environment.

Animal agriculture livestock and animal feed is responsible for approximately 60 per cent of food-related climate emissions and is the most significant driver of deforestation.

Most of the deforestation attributed to animal agriculture occurs in South America’s Amazon. Soya, which is widely traded and used mainly for animal feed, is a significant component of many countries’ deforestation footprint. An estimated 90 per cent of soybeans produced globally are used as a protein source in animal feed for meat and dairy production.

Globally, just under half of all animal feed made from soybeans and other oilseed crops is consumed by chicken and other poultry.

The UK imports roughly 3.2 million tonnes of soya each year, with a further 600,000 tonnes already embedded in imported meat and other products.

Approximately 68 per cent of UK soya imports come from countries in South America, where soya is driving deforestation.

Tesco needs to come clean and say if they are still buying meat from forest destroyers and if their pork and chickens are fed from deforested land.

Otherwise, they are damaging their reputation.

JEANNETTE SCHAEL

Crookham Close

Tadley