In a move that has sparked intense debate, the European Parliament voted Thursday to delay the implementation of the EU’s landmark deforestation law and introduced changes that critics warn could undermine its effectiveness. The decision follows pressure from EU member states, companies, and third-party nations like Brazil, Indonesia, and the United States, all of whom voiced concerns about the law’s potential economic impact.
The European Commission had already proposed a 12-month delay, pushing the rule’s enforcement date to December 2025. However, lawmakers have now voted to add a “no-risk” category of countries, reducing the regulatory burden on those deemed to pose minimal deforestation threats. This amendment, spearheaded by the centre-right European People’s Party and supported by far-right lawmakers, has raised concerns that the regulation may be weakened in its bid to secure a compromise with EU governments.
The new law, which was originally set to take effect on December 30, aims to ensure that products sold in Europe—such as beef, soy, palm oil, cocoa, rubber, and wood—are not linked to deforestation. This regulation was seen as a crucial step in the EU’s environmental agenda, designed to reduce the consumption-driven destruction of forests, particularly in regions like the Amazon and Southeast Asia.
Environmental groups have criticized the proposed changes, warning that they will send a troubling message just as world leaders gather in Azerbaijan to strengthen global climate commitments. Julia Christian, a campaigner at the environmental NGO Fern, called the move “green protectionism,” noting that it would offer “free passes” to EU forested countries and inflame tensions with countries that are already wary of the law’s economic impact. Christian added, “This is a blatant case of green protectionism, which will only inflame anger among producer countries outside the EU.”
The Parliament’s decision has also caused divisions within mainstream political parties. The proposed amendments to the deforestation law will now be subject to negotiations with EU governments to find a workable compromise, with significant differences over the regulation’s scope and impact.
While some companies, including Nestle and Mars, have expressed support for the law, they have also urged the EU to provide more support for businesses to meet the December 2025 deadline. Companies that rely on global supply chains, such as in the food and consumer goods industries, have emphasized the need for assistance in adjusting to the new rules without disrupting their operations or penalizing small farmers in emerging markets.
The EU’s deforestation regulation is a direct response to the growing concern about climate change and the role of consumer markets in driving deforestation. It seeks to ensure that European consumers are not unknowingly contributing to the destruction of valuable ecosystems. However, many emerging economies, particularly in the Global South, have raised concerns about the law’s potential to exclude small farmers from the European market, further entrenching global inequalities.
As the clock ticks down to the new rule’s eventual implementation, stakeholders from both sides of the debate are gearing up for heated negotiations. The outcome of these discussions will be critical not only for the EU’s environmental agenda but also for the future of international trade relations and climate cooperation.
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