COP30 must be used to confront the global challenge of deforestation and its impact on food security.
According to The Times, the Government has blocked the publication of a report showing that, if tropical forests are lost, food prices could rise - including for UK consumers. At a time when the Government is failing to get a grip on inflation, and has proposed policies which are fuelling inflation further, such as the Family Farm Tax, it should be using its influence to ensure that global factors do not drive prices even higher.
Brazil has committed to achieve zero deforestation by 2030. While this is welcome, the UK Government must use the COP30 negotiations to support efforts to halt and reverse deforestation globally.
We are in a Food & Farming Emergency with food prices continuing to climb. The Government must show leadership in the COP30 negotiations, although the record to date has shown that, when the Prime Minister negotiates, Britain loses, so I am not particularly optimistic.