European Parliament pushes for repeal of deforestation law
Led by conservative group, the European People’s Party, the parliament recently voted to reject the classification system put forward by the European Commission earlier this year – which classed Australia, along with most other countries in the world, as a low risk of deforestation
BRUSSELS, July 25, 2025 — Debate is still alive in the European Union [EU] about the incoming ban on goods linked to deforestation, with the European Parliament pushing for a repeal of the system which is set to come into place at the end of this year.
Led by conservative group, the European People’s Party, the parliament recently voted to reject the classification system put forward by the European Commission earlier this year – which classed Australia, along with most other countries in the world, as a low risk of deforestation.
The EPP wants to add in a no-risk classification for countries with stable or increasing forest area.
The classification system was already a step back from original requirements Australian producers would have needed to fulfil.
As opposed to full property maps, exporters will now need to provide a geo-location of their cattle as they moved through the supply chain – for which the industry is already preparing.
While the European Commission is not required to act on the parliament’s recommendation, there is a view that the latest move has the potential to delay the legislation again as the EPP has the most members in the parliament and 10 of the 27 members in the commission.
“Today’s vote is a strong signal that we want practical, fair, and effective forest protection,” said Alexander Bernhuber, who tabled the objection on behalf of the EPP Group.
“The Commission’s list misrepresents the situation in many countries and creates unnecessary burdens for farmers, foresters, and industry. The EPP Group remains committed to responsible forest stewardship and to policies that combine environmental protection with workable solutions for those who care for and rely on forests.
“Therefore, a new ‘no risk’ category must be introduced for countries with stable or expanding forest areas. This is how we make EU rules more fair and effective.”
Environmental groups react
Europe’s deforestation regulation has already been delayed, from the end of last year to the end of this year, with the EPP being the main driving force behind that delay.
Environmental groups, who largely drove the deforestation legislation, appear to be getting frustrated at the issues Europe is having implementing it.
Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund have put out press releases calling for the European Commission to push forward with the legislation using the current classification system.
“Parliament seems to be blind to the ongoing climate crisis, putting the EUDR’s credibility and the EU’s climate leadership at risk, and sending the wrong signal at the worst possible time as global deforestation rates spiral out of control,” said Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, Manager, Forests at WWF European Policy Office.
“The European Commission must now stay the course and implement the EUDR—not be distracted by this political posturing.”
Greenpeace has urged Brussels to “stop complaining and start complying.”
“Greenpeace and many other NGOs have insisted that the EUDR country benchmarking must be based on objective and transparent criteria, and not become the subject of political negotiations,” said Greenpeace Forests Campaigner Sigrid Deters.
We are aware that the Commission’s regulation has shortcomings, but the Commission has committed to review it in 2026. In the meantime, the EUDR must be applied by operators and enforced by competent authorities, according to the agreed schedule.”
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