National Assembly for Wales

To propose that the Senedd:  

1. Notes:  

a) that the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires Wales to establish itself as a globally responsible nation;  

b) that more than 50 per cent of global forest loss and land conversion is attributable to the production of agricultural commodities and forestry products demanded by consumers;  

c) that an area equivalent to 40 per cent of the size of Wales is used overseas to grow just a handful of commodities imported into Wales (palm, soy, beef, cacao, natural rubber, leather, timber, paper and pulp); and  

d) that vast areas abroad are being destroyed to create commodities bound for Wales, with disastrous consequences including the abuse of indigenous peoples, child labour, and the loss of biodiversity.  

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:  

a) account for and report on the significant greenhouse gas emissions caused by Wales overseas as a result of the deforestation and habitat loss associated with Welsh imports of commodities;   

b) strengthen its economic contract – which develops a relationship with business around responsible growth and practices – to require signatories to commit to supply chains that are free from deforestation, conversion and social exploitation;  

c) develop a more self-sufficient food system for Wales by developing a roadmap towards a food system that’s fit for the future and provides communities with a sustainable source of food which would include:

(i) reversing the loss of local processing capacity;

(ii) driving local supply chains;

(iii) prioritising importing only sustainable goods from overseas; and

(iv) helping to address food poverty and malnutrition. 

d) use procurement levers to create a requirement for supply chains to be free from deforestation, conversion and social exploitation, as part of the transition to utilising locally produced and sustainable goods;  

e) support Welsh farmers to eliminate imported livestock feed that is linked to deforestation and habitat conversion overseas; 

f) support international projects and initiatives aimed at preserving and restoring forests in the main commodity-producing countries; and 

g) ensure that it promotes new trade agreements that will guarantee high environmental and human rights standards, particularly around deforestation, accompanied by strict enforcement measures.