The European Commission has sparked outrage among environmentalists and relief from businesses with its decision to delay the implementation of the much-debated Deforestation Regulation. Initially scheduled to come into force on December 30, 2024, the law, designed to prevent forest destruction by holding suppliers of palm oil, timber, coffee, beef, and other commodities accountable, has been postponed by 12 months. This delay followed growing pressure from business lobbies, farming groups, and key EU trading partners like the US and Brazil.
The Controversial Delay
Environmentalists see this postponement as a significant blow to the EU’s Green Deal, which prioritizes sustainable environmental policies. Nicole Polsterer, a campaigner at Fern, criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for yielding to commercial interests, stating, “This is unacceptable, especially when so many other companies have invested time and money to be ready.”
Greenpeace EU, which considers the Deforestation Regulation a major achievement of von der Leyen's first term, echoed this sentiment. Sébastien Risso, the organization's forest policy director, lamented that “People in Europe don’t want deforestation products on their supermarket shelves but that’s what this delay will give them, for another twelve months."
Business and Political Support
While environmental groups denounce the postponement, conservative political factions, notably the European People’s Party (EPP), have welcomed it. Peter Liese, the EPP's lead on environmental policy, emphasized the need to avoid "irresponsible chaos," arguing that small farmers, especially in Latin America, need more time and support to comply with the new rules.
Moreover, German Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir supported the delay, noting that businesses need time to adjust to the new requirements, while insisting that the content of the law should remain unchanged.
Why the Regulation Matters
Forests are crucial for carbon capture, biodiversity, and combating climate change. The EU’s Deforestation Regulation seeks to prevent commodities linked to deforestation from entering the European market. The delay frustrates Green policymakers like Dutch lawmaker Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, who criticized von der Leyen for undermining her Green Deal and failing to implement the regulation in time.
Some EU diplomats have also expressed dissatisfaction, with one diplomat describing the delay as an "inevitable consequence" of the Commission’s failure to provide proper guidance for businesses. Others fear this postponement could lead to broader calls for weakening the law altogether.
Moving Forward
Despite the delay, the European Commission has published "additional guidance documents and a stronger international cooperation framework" to help producers, EU governments, and trading partners prepare for the new law. Meanwhile, organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are urging businesses to use the extra time to meet deforestation-free standards, reiterating their full support for a deforestation-free market in Europe.
As the EU navigates the tension between economic interests and environmental imperatives, the postponement of the Deforestation Regulation serves as a reminder of the complex challenges involved in balancing sustainability and global commerce.
Source: Euronews
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