'Unwelcome Christmas present': How the new UK-Australia trade deal is fuelling deforestation fears

Michael Holder
clock • 8 min read
Australia PM Scott Morrison and UK PM Boris Johnson first announced the deal in principle after a meeting in London in the summer | Credit: Number 10
Image:

Australia PM Scott Morrison and UK PM Boris Johnson first announced the deal in principle after a meeting in London in the summer | Credit: Number 10

Farmers and environmental groups hit out at terms of free trade deal they warn risks undermining UK environmental standards

The UK has finalised the terms of its "historic" first post-Brexit free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia, but farmers and environmental groups have warned the deal lacks safeguards against environmentally...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

Michael Holder
Author spotlight

Michael Holder

Editor

View profile
More from Michael Holder

Report: Businesses 'increasingly frustrated' at poor state of England's water supply

How can companies develop robust and credible climate transition plans?

More on Politics

North star: Will this time be different?
Politics

North star: Will this time be different?

Andy Burnham's Cabinet appointments and cuts to VAT on electricity bills suggest a commitment to net zero will remain, but can he marry new fossil fuel projects with continued decarbonisation?

James Murray
James Murray
clock 21 July 2026 • 6 min read
Cabinet Reshuffle: Miatta Fahnbulleh appointed as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary
Politics

Cabinet Reshuffle: Miatta Fahnbulleh appointed as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary

Andy Burnham confirms top team, with Ed Miliband promoted to Foreign Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds returning as Business Secretary, Angela Eagle confirmed as Environment Secretary, and John Healey appointed Chancellor

James Murray
James Murray
clock 21 July 2026 • 4 min read
Poll: Most voters want Andy Burnham to accelerate UK climate and nature action
Politics

Poll: Most voters want Andy Burnham to accelerate UK climate and nature action

More in Common polling highlights deep public concern about climate impacts and nature loss, with more than half feeling Labour's efforts to date have not been ambitious enough

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 21 July 2026 • 3 min read