Sharp Deforestation Increase in Brazil Causes E.U. to Reconsider Trade Deal

The Brazilian Amazon had a dramatic increase in deforestation in May, and the rainforest clearing has continued its sharp rise, soaring 68% year-over-year in just the first 15 days of July, Reuters reports.

News of the deforestation data, gathered via satellite from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, follows a free trade deal reached with the European Union that includes environmental commitments for the country. After news of the dramatic deforestation rise in Brazil, officials in Ireland and Italy have called for the trade deal with the E.U. to be blocked.

Environmentalists have blamed new Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro’s pro-development policies for the recent increase in Amazon deforestation.

The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest.