On its way to ratification by national parliaments, the recently concluded EU-Mercosur trade deal has come under intensive criticism for its perceived negative effects on the environment.

The Mercosur deal envisages the import of 100,000 tonnes of meat on tariff-free terms, which will be matched with a higher quota for car, cheese and wine exports. The so-called “cows-for-cars” accord has been targeted by environmentalists as it encourages Brazilian cattle ranching and the continued deforestati...