UK firms urge Brazil to stop Amazon deforestation for soy production

Tesco and Asda are among 67 firms and investors who have written to President Bolsonaro

Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and the UK's largest asset manager are among 67 major companies and investors who have written to Brazil's far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, urging his government to stop further deforestation of the Amazon for soy production.

The preservation of the Amazon rainforest, a vital sink for carbon dioxide, is widely considered by scientists and activists to be a priority in responding to the climate crisis. However, the Brazilian soy farmers' association Aprosoja has mounted a campaign to end a voluntary ban on trading crops harvested from newly cleared land.