Two years after championing the EU Deforestation Law, EU Conservative Lawmakers are now wanting to sabotage it

On 14 November, the European Parliament is set to vote on the EU Commission’s proposed year-long delay to the application of the EU Deforestation Regulation. Yesterday, 6 November, the European People's Party (EPP) proposed amendments that, if adopted, would significantly water down the law.

In response to the proposals, Nicole Polsterer, campaigner at forests and rights NGO, Fern, said:

“Two years ago the European People’s Party (EPP) championed the EUDR. Today they tried to sabotage it with amendments that will fatally undermine it.

In doing so, they’ve shown a blatant disregard for the EU’s credibility: even EU countries who have called for the Regulation to be delayed, have not dared to go this far.”

The year-long postponement was already approved, with no amendments, by Member States on 16 October. The Council insists that the delay would not impact the goal to “minimise the EU’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide”. NGOs have estimated, however, that the delay could result in an extra 49 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to annual emissions from 18 million cars.

The EPP proposal would cause even more harm as traders would no longer need to comply with the law. It also introduces a new “no risk” to label countries whose “forest area development remained stable or increased compared to 1990”.

“Particularly egregious is the EPP proposal to change countries' risk ratings, while giving the EU a free pass: an appalling case of green protectionism, which will only inflame anger among producer countries outside the EU.”

Major international businesses have voiced concerns and reported financial losses following the proposed delay announcement. The move has created a wave of uncertainty across industries, with businesses warning that the delay must not be used as an opportunity to water down the Regulation’s text.

“This outrageous manoeuvre would likely cost millions to those companies who have prepared for the law’s implementation in good faith and be a hammer blow to EU efforts to end deforestation in its supply chains.”

The EPP amendments were proposed against the backdrop of a new poll released today showing that the overwhelming majority of Europeans want a strong law to combat deforestation.

Polsterer concluded: “Should the European Parliament vote to approve any EPP amendments, the Commission should respond by withdrawing its proposal to delay the law." 

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