CAMPAIGNERS have slammed the government’s laissez-faire attitude to regulating products that contribute to global deforestation.

The condemnation came after the environmental audit committee publishes a report today stressing the impact Britain’s consumption of commodities such as soy, cocoa, palm oil, beef and leather have on forests around the world.

The government announced that four commodities — cattle products (excluding dairy), cocoa, palm oil and soy — will eventually have to be certified “sustainable” to be sold in Britain.