EU lawmakers back deforestation law delay
EU did not propose changes to the substance of the law
15 November 2024
2 minute read
By: The European Parliament sought on Thursday to water down a ban on the import of commodities such as beef and soy linked to deforestation, and backed a one year delay to the new rule, in a fresh push-back against the EU's environmental agenda, Reuters reported.
The European Commission proposed a 12-month delay until Dec 2025 last month after complaints from a group of 20 EU countries, some companies and countries such as Brazil and Indonesia.
However, it did not propose any changes to the substance of the law, a position backed by EU governments
The parliament's vote for changes adds to uncertainty over the EU deforestation regulation (EUDR) as lawmakers will now have to enter negotiations with EU governments to find a compromise.
It also threatens to create divisions among mainstream parties as they seek to approve the formation of a new European Commission. The amendments to weaken the law were proposed by the centre-right European People's Party and passed with support from far-right lawmakers.
The EUDR, which was due to take effect from Dec 30, aims to root deforestation out of supply chains for beef, soy and other agricultural products sold in Europe, so that EU consumers are not contributing to the destruction of forests from the Amazon to Southeast Asia.
The law equally applies to European farmers, who will not be allowed to export products from crops grown on deforested or degraded woodlands.
The EUDR was hailed as a landmark in the fight against climate change, but emerging countries from Brazil to Indonesia say it is protectionist and could exclude millions of poor, small-scale farmers from the EU market.
The main change in the amendments is to create a fourth "no risk" category of countries with vastly reduced checks.
