Over 600 European scientists and 300 Brazilian organisations have signed a petition calling on the EU to look for a sustainable outcome in its trade negotiations with Brazil.

The eubraziltrade.org petition, which has been published in Science magazine, states that the EU must make sure that future trade does not cause further deforestation or human rights conflicts.

“The EU spent more than €3bn on Brazilian iron imports in 2017, despite perilous safety standards and extensive deforestation driven by mining,” the letter reads.

“In 2011 alone, the EU imported beef and livestock feed associated with more than 1,000 square kilometres of Brazilian deforestation – equivalent to more than 300 football fields per day.”

It concludes: “The EU was founded on the principles of respecting human rights and human dignity. Today, it has the opportunity to be a global leader in supporting these principles and a habitable climate by making sustainability the cornerstone of its trade negotiations with Brazil.”

The EU is Brazil’s second largest trading partner behind China.

Global focus: Brazilian agriculture in expansion mode

EU's Brazilian imports destroying 300 football fields of forest per day

It is estimated that beef and livestock feed exported from Brazil to the EU in 2011 caused rainforest destruction matching that of 300 football fields each day.