The European Union is under increased pressure from member countries to delay and weaken its impending law to limit deforestation. Eleven governments are asking for revisions.

The world-first policy aims to end 10% of global deforestation caused by EU consumption of imported soy, beef, palm oil, and other products. Still, it has become a contentious part of Europe’s environmental agenda.

Following complaints from trading partners, including Brazil and the U.S., the EU has delayed its launch by a year to Dec. 2025, and has cut back reporting rules after industry criticism. 

Last week, the Commission said it would spare most countries the strictest checks.

A group of 11 countries, led by Austria and Luxembourg, has demanded that the European Commission simplify the rules further and delay its application date again.

“The requirements imposed on farmers and foresters remain high, if not impossible to implement. They are disproportionate to the regulation’s objective,” the countries said in a paper, which EU agriculture ministers will discuss in Brussels on Monday.

Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia also signed the paper.

From December, the EU policy would require operators to place soy, beef, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, and other goods onto the EU market to provide due diligence statements proving the commodities did not fuel deforestation.

EU exports would also be subject to due diligence rules, with nations concerned about how it may affect their sectors. Businesses risk fines of up to 4% of their EU revenue for non-compliance. 

A new class of nations with minimal risk of deforestation would be free from customs inspections and tracing the provenance of commodities, according to the revisions suggested by the governments.

Source: Reuters

Image Credit: Business Standard