In a significant development on Wednesday, the European Commission announced its intention to propose a one-year delay in implementing the law aimed at banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation.
This decision comes in response to mounting pressure from various industries and governments worldwide, including those in leather industry, who argue that the law could have adverse effects on the EU’s economy.
The proposed EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been touted as a crucial step in combating climate change. However, critics label it as protectionist, warning that it may inadvertently exclude hundreds of business from accessing the EU market.
Industry leaders have raised alarms that the regulation could lead to supply chain disruptions within the European Union, ultimately driving up consumer prices for essential commodities.
In March, approximately 20 of the EU’s 27 member states urged Brussels to reconsider the law, expressing concerns that it would negatively impact the bloc’s own agricultural sector.
These nations highlighted that local farmers would be barred from exporting products cultivated on previously deforested land.
The Commission clarified that the proposal would require approval from both the European Parliament and EU member states. Furthermore, it announced the release of additional guidance documents to provide clarity on the law’s implementation.
Environmental advocates have condemned the Commission’s decision to delay the EUDR, arguing it undermines the EU’s commitment to sustainable practices.
“Ursula von der Leyen (European commission President) might as well have wielded the chainsaw herself. People in Europe don’t want deforestation products, but that’s what this delay will give them.”
Greenpeace
Similarly, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) criticized the move, asserting that it raises serious questions about the Commission’s dedication to fulfilling the EU’s environmental commitments.
Initially scheduled for enforcement on December 30, the EUDR aimed to require companies importing key commodities such as soy, beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, timber, leather and rubber to demonstrate that their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation.
Companies would be mandated to digitally map their supply chains, tracing raw materials back to the specific plots where they were cultivated, including small farms in remote areas.
Critics contend that this requirement poses significant challenges, given the complexity of global supply chains involving millions of farms and numerous intermediaries, many of which lack easily verifiable data.
Despite the proposed delay, Brussels maintains that the EUDR is vital to eliminating the EU’s contribution to deforestation, a leading driver of climate change following fossil fuel combustion.
According to WWF data, the EU ranks as the world’s second-largest contributor to deforestation through its imports.
In conclusion, the European Commission’s move to delay the EUDR underscores the tension between environmental goals and the realities faced by farmers and industries in the EU and abroad. As the proposal moves forward, stakeholders across the globe will be closely monitoring its implications for both climate action and agricultural viability. The outcome will significantly impact the EU’s reputation as a leader in the fight against climate change and its commitment to sustainable trade practices.
