EU deforestation law integrity at risk, multistakeholder partnerships are critical

Brussels | Today, the European Commission proposed to postpone the application of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by a year, based on the “feedback” received by international partners.  

This comes after Ursula von der Leyen’s attendance at the United Nations’ General Assembly where she discussed the EUDR with highly forested countries. The Commission signalled that it intends to “step up dialogue” with partner countries while also stressing that “the partnership's success will also rest on EU partners' commitment to deliver on global targets to halt deforestation.”  

Nicole Polsterer, Sustainable Consumption and Production campaigner at Fern said: “President Von der Leyen has recognised that the EU has failed to seriously work with the countries most deeply affected by the law.  

Deforestation is a deep-seated, complex problem that requires action at all levels. The reactions from many highly forested EU trade partners have shown that EU law cannot rely on a business-to-business approach.  

For the EUDR to succeed, the EU must fundamentally change its international stance and deliver on multi-stakeholder partnerships to support producer countries to comply.  

Such initiatives will only work if they give forest peoples and national civil society a seat at the table and if the specific needs of small-scale farmers are addressed. Otherwise companies may squeeze them out of their supply chains.”  

Fern has published a blueprint for what partnership agreements should look like and worked with Indonesian civil society and smallholder organisations to develop a proposed partnership agreement for Indonesia. 

Standing up for a law with integrity 

Several companies voiced strong opposition to reopening the EUDR. They argue that “this would only serve to increase uncertainty and jeopardise the significant investments our member companies have made in preparing for its application.” 

In its proposal, the European Commission emphasises that the proposed delay “in no way puts into question the objectives or the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators”, in recognition of the fact that the EUDR was approved with substantial majorities a few years ago.  

“The need for the law is more urgent than ever. Agricultural production is the biggest driver of deforestation on the planet. Fires are raging in the drought-stricken Amazon, and in other South American countries. 

Many of those who pushed for this delay want to abandon the EUDR altogether. They will be determined to use the Commission’s proposal as an opportunity to achieve their agenda. We urge EU Member States and Members of the European Parliament to uphold the integrity of this pioneering and desperately needed law.” 

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Background: The EUDR was adopted with a huge majority (552 votes, 44 against and 43 abstentions). Twenty-two EU countries voted in favour, 5 abstained, and none voted against. This huge backing by the European Parliament and EU Member States was particularly notable because the  main rapporteur at the European Parliament was a member of the Conservatives group (EPP).

Image: Fabian Plock/Shutterstock

Kategorien: Press Releases, EU Regulation on deforestation-free products