The UK government has announced new rules to keep products linked to illegal deforestation out of British supply chains, a significant win for tropical forests and the millions of species that depend on them.
A Law to Protect the World's Forests
For years, products tied to illegal deforestation, from beef to soy to palm oil, have flowed into UK supermarkets without meaningful scrutiny. That is set to change.
On 23 June 2026, the UK government announced rules that will require businesses in Great Britain with a turnover above £1 million to conduct due diligence on their supply chains. Under the Environment Act 2021, they will not be allowed to use forest-risk commodities grown on land cleared in breach of local laws. The legislation is expected in 2027.
>> "This is a strong signal to business that supply chains need to be deforestation-free."
- Cassie Dummett, NGO Forest Coalition
What This Means
Companies selling forest-risk commodities, including cattle products, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, and wood, will have to show their supply chains are free of illegal deforestation. Those that fail could face civil sanctions.
The law targets some of the most destructive supply chains on Earth. Around 90% of global deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion. In 2023, UK consumption of these goods was linked to around 29,000 hectares of deforestation worldwide.
The Next Step
Campaigners are already pushing further. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility, a global fund launched at the UN climate summit in November 2025 to reward rainforest countries for keeping their forests standing, would build on laws like this. As of July 2026, the UK had not yet pledged money to it.
This is the first step. The forests, and the jaguars, gorillas, and elephants inside them, are counting on the next one.
_Sources: UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs press release, "Government steps up action to tackle illegal deforestation", 23 June 2026. UK government, "The UK's approach to deforestation regulations", updated 2 September 2026. Environment Act 2021, Schedule 17. Rainforest Foundation UK, "NGOs welcome UK progress on urgently needed deforestation rules", 23 June 2026. Ashoka Mukpo, "UK deforestation rules take step forward after a long delay", Mongabay, 2 July 2026. Joe Lo, "Tropical forest protection fund at risk after UK stalls on pledge", Climate Home News, 3 July 2026._