The European Union has agreed to postpone the enforcement of new regulations aimed at banning the sale of products linked to extensive deforestation. The decision comes after pressure from various producer nations and internal opposition within the 27-member bloc.
The delay, agreed upon by EU member states, the EU parliament, and the executive Commission, extends the original implementation timeline by one year. The rules were initially set to take effect this month.
The anti-deforestation law is designed to protect global forests by permitting only sustainable forest-related products that do not contribute to forest degradation. This legislation covers a range of products such as cocoa, coffee, soy, cattle, palm oil, rubber, wood, and items derived from these sources. Deforestation ranks as the second-largest source of carbon emissions after fossil fuels.
The lead negotiator, Christine Schneider, hailed the delay as a victory, citing the need to shield foresters and farmers from excessive bureaucracy.
However, environmental groups have criticized the decision, emphasizing the urgency of implementing environmental protection laws like the EU's anti-deforestation legislation. Global Witness representative Giulia Bondi expressed concern over the ongoing destruction of the world's forests.
Major exporters of affected commodities, including Brazil, Indonesia, and the Ivory Coast, have raised concerns that the regulation could impede trade, impact small farmers, and disrupt supply chains.
Under the revised agreement, the rules are now set to come into effect on December 30, 2025, for large companies and June 30, 2026, for small enterprises. While individual EU institutions must still approve the deal, given their consensus on the measures, final approval is expected to be a formality.
The EU Commission justified the delay by acknowledging the readiness concerns raised by global partners. Some EU member states, such as Austria and Germany, have pushed for amendments to weaken or delay the regulation.
Despite the postponement, there are commitments to review and potentially strengthen the Deforestation Law within a year. Greenpeace has criticized the extension, warning that it could lead to further forest destruction, citing a U.N. report that highlights the significant annual loss of forested areas globally.
Bondi emphasized the need for the EU to uphold its environmental commitments and demonstrate leadership in addressing the climate crisis.
