'THEY MUST DO MORE'
Amazon rainforest fires spark calls to boycott Brazilian products as Boris Johnson says he’s ‘deeply concerned’ at 10,000 separate blazes
THE massive Amazon rain forest wildfires have sparked calls to boycott Brazilian products - as world leaders demand the crisis be urgently debated at this weekend's G7 summit.
In the face of an international outcry, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said he may call in the army to battle the raging blazes.
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Asked if he would send in the military, he said: "That is the expectation."
It comes as a a free trade deal between the EU and a South American trading bloc (that includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) was threatened by Brussels unless Mr Bolsonaro takes action.
Finland, which holds EU presidency, went further and called on the EU to consider banning Brazilian beef.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also weighed in on the issue agreeing talks must take place.
His Number 10 spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister is deeply concerned by the increase in fires in the Amazon rainforest and the impact of the tragic loss of these precious habitats.
"The effect of these fires will be felt around the world, which is why we need international action to protect the world's rainforests.
"The UK will continue to support projects in Brazil to do this and the Prime Minister will use the G7 to call for a renewed focus on protecting nature and tackling climate change together."
French President Emmanuel Macron went so far as to accuse Mr Bolsonaro of lying when he downplayed concerns over climate change at the G20 summit in June.
Mr Macron called the wildfires an international crisis and said the leaders of the G7 should hold urgent discussions about them during their summit in Biarritz tomorrow.
'OUR HOUSE IS BURNING'
He tweeted: "Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet's oxygen - is on fire."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed Mr Marcon and described the fires as "shocking and threatening".
World leaders are so worried about the situation, as the Amazon - described as the world's lungs - is a vital absorber of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
However Mr Bolsonaro hit back at his critics and accused Mr Macron of adopting a "sensationalist tone" that "does nothing to solve the problem".
Agriculture minister, Tereza Cristina Dias, insisted Brazil was "taking care" of the Amazon, and that international concerns were being overplayed.
He said: "The news is worrying, but I think we have to lower the temperature. The Amazon is important, Brazil knows that, and Brazil is taking care of the Amazon."
The number of forest fires in Brazil since January - more than 74,000 - has increased by 83 per cent compared with the same period last year, with smoke that is visible from 400 miles up in space.
Satellite footage has spotted nearly 10,000 fires in the region since Thursday alone.
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Wildfires often occur in the dry season in Brazil but they are also deliberately started in efforts to illegally deforest land for cattle ranching.
Conservationists say Mr Bolsonaro, just eight months into his presidency, has encouraged loggers and farmers to clear the land.
Mr Bolsonaro has suggested non-governmental organisations started the fires in revenge for his government slashing funding for environmental charities.
He accused charities of "criminal action" in "calling attention" to his funding decisions and of deliberately starting fires to embarrass the Brazilian government - but admitted he had no evidence for this claim.
He has since acknowledged that farmers might be involved in setting fires in the region.
Brazil contains about 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest and its degradation could have severe consequences for global climate and rainfall.
The South American rainforest produces a fifth of the world's oxygen and fresh water.
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In response to the fires, Extinction Rebellion protesters have been gathering outside the Brazilian Embassy in London.
Celebs including singer Madonna, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton have spoken out about the fires raging in the rainforest.
And actor Leonardo DiCaprio called on his nearly 34 million Instagram followers to become more environmentally conscious in a post warning "the lungs of the Earth are in flames."
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Demonstrations outside Brazilian embassies across Europe as outraged crowds protest Amazon blaze