Deforestation
Phelim O'Neill on 08 Apr 2021
Mercosur trade deal edging forward
A deal has been agreed for almost two years, but the ratification process still has long way to go.
Niall Hurson on 04 Apr 2021
Brazil seeks $1bn to curb Amazon deforestation by 30-40%
Brazil has been widely criticised for its reluctance to curb deforestation in the world's largest rainforest.
Niall Hurson on 01 Apr 2021
Commission and Mercosur considering environmental ‘legal instrument’
EU officials have acknowledged that the increased pace of forest fires in the Amazon coupled with deforestation in Brazil gave rise to criticism among stakeholders.
Donal Magner on 03 Mar 2021
Project Woodland launched by Minister Hackett
The Department 'needs to act swiftly to address weaknesses in project management and communications', to deliver Mackinnon recommendations says Jo O'Hara.
Amy Forde on 07 Jan 2021
EU seeks to avoid placing food linked to deforestation on EU market
Last year, a study in the Science journal found that at least 17% of beef and 20% of soy exported to the EU from certain areas of Brazil may be related to illegal deforestation.
Donal Magner on 09 Dec 2020
Dramatic fall in farmer afforestation
Annual farmer planting has fallen from 7,935ha to 1,292ha in 10 years as farmers' share of the afforestation programme is now only 36% compared with 95% from 2010 to 2019.
Phelim O'Neill on 03 Dec 2020
Biggest rainforest clearance since 2008
By clearing an area of rainforest more than half as big as Co Cork in 2020, Brazil has again attracted the unwanted attention of global environmentalists.
Phelim O'Neill on 07 Oct 2020
Mercosur support slipping
There is growing momentum in the EU against the trade deal signed with Mercosur last summer that gave access for 99,000t of beef at a reduced tariff to EU markets
Niall Hurson on 07 Oct 2020
European Parliament votes against Mercosur
German agriculture minister Julia Klockner said she was sceptical if the Mercosur agreement could be ratified in its current format.
Niall Hurson on 06 Oct 2020
Commission urged to penalise products which endanger forests
It is estimated that EU consumption represents approximately 10% of global deforestation.
Niall Hurson on 10 Sep 2020
Mercosur trade agreement fails the sustainability test - Oxford report
The report warned that mechanisms to trace the origins of commodities with a high risk of driving deforestation, such as beef and soy, are absent.
The Dealer on 12 Aug 2020
Amazon continues to burn
The Dealer read that fires in the Amazon continue to rage, destroying the rainforest there.
Amy Forde on 18 Jul 2020
Over 17% of some Brazilian beef exports related to deforestation – study
A new study has reported how much of Brazil’s soy and beef exports are associated with deforestation.
Contributor on 19 Jun 2020
Comment: Can agriculture save the planet?
Jack Bobo, chief executive of Futurity, outlines why he thinks agriculture is key to saving the planet from the biodiversity and climate crisis.
Amy Forde on 13 May 2020
Deforestation increases in Brazil
Over 1,000,000ha of the Amazon was deforested in 2019.
Amy Forde on 06 May 2020
Exclusive: EU to cut fertiliser use by 20%, pesticides by 50%
The latest draft of the European Commission’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 highlights big cuts in fertiliser and pesticide use, an increase in organic farming and binding nature restoration targets.
Amii McKeever on 19 Mar 2020
Land use change – deforestation
Ireland currently has 11% of its land covered in forestry. With a target of 18% by 2050, does deforestation fly in the face of Government policy? Amii McKeever speaks to farmers that have taken the forestry route
Amy Forde on 15 Dec 2019
Over 1,000,000ha of the Amazon deforested in 2019
It the first time since 2008 that deforestation has passed the 1,000,000ha mark.