A coalition of 225 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from over 40 countries has issued a powerful statement urging the European Parliament and EU governments to reject a proposed one-year delay in the implementation of the EU’s landmark anti-deforestation law. This collective appeal, titled “Hands off the EU deforestation regulation!”, emphasizes the urgent need for immediate action against deforestation to uphold the EU’s commitment to combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.
The statement highlights that the law was democratically adopted with unprecedented public engagement and support. Delaying its implementation, according to the NGOs, would significantly undermine the EU’s credibility as a global leader in environmental protection and human rights advocacy.
“Delaying action against deforestation means letting down millions of European citizens who have been advocating for this law, as well as countless businesses and small farmers—both within and outside the EU—who have invested heavily to comply with its requirements,” stated Michael Rice from ClientEarth, an environmental law organization.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a pioneering piece of legislation requiring that all forest-related products sold in the EU market be free from deforestation. This includes commodities such as timber, beef, palm oil, soy, coffee, cocoa, and rubber. The law mandates that producers and exporters must ensure their products do not originate from land deforested after December 31, 2020. Compliance involves sharing geolocation coordinates to trace the origins of these commodities.
Originally set to take effect on December 30, 2024, the EUDR has faced opposition from several countries—including Brazil, China, India, and the United States—as well as pressure from various industries. In response to these concerns, on October 2, the European Commission proposed a 12-month delay in implementation to allow stakeholders more time to prepare. This proposal was subsequently supported by the European Council, which is composed of leaders from all EU member states. The European Parliament is expected to vote on this matter during its plenary session on November 13-14.
The NGOs argue that postponing the EUDR will effectively reward companies that continue to profit from environmental degradation while penalizing those who have already committed resources to comply with the law. “This is not the moment to give companies even more time to destroy our remaining forests,” said Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, manager of forests at WWF’s European Policy Office. “A delay would send a troubling message: it would favor those lagging behind in compliance over those who have made significant investments to adhere to the law.”
The call to action by these NGOs underscores a critical moment for environmental policy in Europe. As global awareness of deforestation and its impacts grows, the urgency for effective legislation has never been clearer. The outcome of this vote will not only shape the future of Europe’s forests but also set a precedent for international environmental standards.
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