12/07/2010 (ITN) - A research programme is set to examine the extent that palm oil is used by UK consumers in an attempt to stop deforestation, the Government has announced.

Palm oil is used in a wide array of products sold in the UK from food and cosmetics to tyres and biofuels.

But the expansion of oil palm plantations in south-east Asia - where it is mostly grown - is leading to the clearance and burning of rainforest, releasing carbon emissions and threatening rare wildlife such as orangutans, the Environment Department said.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced the research programme with funding of up to £100,000 to examine how much palm oil is used in the UK, how much is sustainably sourced and how changes can be made to lessen the impact on the environment of the product.

She said: "Consumers and industry have the power to save rainforests and wildlife in areas like south-east Asia. But in the case of palm oil, we need to know more about our consumption in order to find solutions."

The plans were announced at the first global business of biodiversity symposium, which will also see business leaders discuss how to make sustainable palm oil more mainstream.