Brazilian authorities are investigating the discovery of about 1,200 tonnes of toxic waste dumped by UK ships in ports near São Paulo. The president of IBAMA, the Brazilian environmental agency, is asking for the rubbish to be returned back to the UK.

Roberto Messias said: “Clearly Brazil is not a big garbage dump of the world.”

The 64 containers of waste had left from the British port of Felixtowe to ports in Rio Grande and Santos. They had arrived between the months of February and May. Amongst the rubbish, items included old batteries, computer parts, used syringes, condoms and used diapers.

Since the discovery, officials have discovered 25 additional containers of hospital waste said to hold bags of blood.

Messias says that it does not have reason to discriminate against more shipments coming in from the UK but expressed disappoint with the situation. Lawyers of Brazilian companies involved in the shipments said that the companies had expected plastics for recycling.

“We have to check every theory because that type of cargo could have come from any country. But what people see is that it is a shame that this cargo came from England,” said Messias in a press release.

Rolf Abel, the head of Customs Control at the Rio Grande Port, added: “The United Kingdom is one of the leading countries in the protection of the environment and health and will do all that it possible to eliminate the illegal trade of trash” said the British embassy.