A major environmental report on deforestation in South America has found a link between the industries involved and major motor companies in Europe.

In a focus on the Chaco, Paraguay’s tropical rainforest, home to giant anteaters, dozens of endemic species, and ironically the jaguar, it has been found that the forest is one of the fastest disappearing in a part of the world long linked with deforestation. According to a report by Earthsight, the unique eco-region is now suffering deforestation at the rate of a football pitch being bulldozed every two minutes.

Once cleared the land is used for cattle-ranching to supply American beef markets, with the tannery leather sent to Europe to help upholster some of the world’s most luxurious cars.

More than a fifth of the deforestation is not legal - but despite this, car makers such as BMW and Jaguar Land Rover are linked with the trade.

“No car owner is going to feel comfortable in their plush leather seat knowing that the last forest refuge of an uncontacted tribe was illegally cleared to make it,” said Sam Lawson, Director of Earthsight.

"This simply should not be allowed to happen. And this is far from an isolated case. Europe is awash with the products of deforestation and human rights abuses. Corporations have utterly failed to do the right thing. It is high time governments made them.”

Sell or part ex your car today