“The EU plans to plant three billion trees, restore 25,000 kilometres of rivers and reverse the decline of pollinators.”

Yet, no parallel targets have been set for external trade.

Some rules apply for incoming agricultural produce; things like soya beans must not be sourced from recently deforested land.

But, the authors write: “Customs departments don’t have the mechanisms, money or staff to check that goods meet sustainability criteria when they arrive at European ports.

“EU trade agreements are silent about which specific standards imports must meet, or whether exporting countries should have adequate environmental laws or monitoring.

“Signatories to the EU-Mercosur pact, for example, agree only to ‘strive’ to improve their environmental and labour-protection laws.”

The paper goes on to highlight a number of other “double standards” between the EU’s Green Deal and its dealings with other nations, including on things like GM crops.

Meanwhile, Ms von der Leyen, speaking at COP26, said countries must put a price on the carbon dioxide emissions causing climate change.

She said: “We need to agree to a robust framework of rules, for example, to make global carbon markets a reality. Put a price on carbon, nature cannot pay that price anymore.”

EU disgraced after report found bloc ‘offshores environment damage’ (msn.com)

Regards Mark