Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Deforestation

Thursday 10 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government established a global resource initiative taskforce to address deforestation driven by commodity supply chains.
  • The Government is consulting on proposals for a new due diligence law aimed at preventing deforestation.
  • The Environment Bill will be presented soon and is expected to include ambitious environmental measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Edwards Con Brent North
Climate Environment
Context

The MP asks what measures the Government is taking in response to deforestation driven by commodity supply chains.

Question

What steps he is taking to prevent deforestation, recognising that commodity supply chains are a major driver of it?

Answer from Rebecca Pow (Minister for Animal Welfare and Rural Affairs)

Recognising the role of commodity supply chains in driving deforestation, the Government established the global resource initiative taskforce. Following its recommendations, we are consulting on proposals for a new world-leading due diligence law and working to forge an international alliance on supply chains at COP26. Additionally, UK international climate finance is used to protect biodiverse forests with £5.8 billion committed between 2016 and 2021.

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Q2 Ruth Edwards Con Brent North
Environment
Context

The MP welcomes the Government's consultation on preventing deforestation and urges inclusion of legislative measures on due diligence in the upcoming Environment Bill.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for her answer, and I welcome the Government's consultation in this area. May I urge her to make our landmark Environment Bill even more world-leading by including legislative measures on due diligence?

Answer from Rebecca Pow (Minister for Animal Welfare and Rural Affairs)

I thank my hon. Friend for being on the ball about the Environment Bill in particular, which will be back before the House very soon and will deliver the Government's manifesto commitment to deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth. We understand eagerness regarding due diligence measures but do not want to anticipate consultation outcomes. Decisions on next steps will be confirmed in the formal response published after 5 October.

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