European legislators vote to approve one year delay to EUDR implementation
The EU Deforestation Regulation [EUDR] was supposed to apply from December 30 this year, but the European Parliament approved a one-year delay on November 14
LONDON, November 19, 2024 – The European Union [EU] is set to delay the implementation of a deforestation law, which requires heavy due diligence requirements on importers and commodity traders. The EU Deforestation Regulation [EUDR] was supposed to apply from December 30 this year, but the European Parliament approved a one-year delay on November 14. This additional time would help operators around the world implement the rules smoothly without undermining the objectives of the law, with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises [MSMEs] receiving an additional six months to prepare for the law.
The regulation applies to EU-based importers, processors, and traders of palm oil, cattle, wood, coffee, cocoa, rubber, soya, as well as some derived products like chocolate and furniture. Companies in scope of the law must prove these commodities do not originate from recently deforested land and have not contributed to forest degradation since 2020. The conversion of forests to agricultural land contributes to climate change by slashing carbon absorption capacity and damaging biodiversity.
A proposal to exempt from due diligence any commodities imported from countries deemed to pose no deforestation risk at all was also voted through by the European People’s Party [EPP], which will have to be negotiated with the Commission and member states. Environmental groups accused lawmakers of watering down the legislation, calling on the EU Commission to withdraw the delay and get the law back on track to enter into force this January.
The Commission and European Council mooted a 12-month delay in October, stating it would allow “certainty, predictability” and sufficient time for implementation of the rules, including the establishment of due diligence systems. The legislation has been criticised by major soft commodity producers such as Brazil, Malaysia, and Indonesia, who argue it will severely disadvantage smallholder farmers and discriminate against emerging economies.
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