EU forest protection under pressure: Eleven states are demanding weakening of the rules!

EU forest protection under pressure: Eleven states are demanding weakening of the rules!

Österreich, Europa - ELF EU member states have teamed up and require the EU Commission to simplify the rules to combat the deforestation. These countries include Austria, Luxembourg, Italy and Finland, while Germany is not one of the signatories. These states would like to delay the new regulations on deforestation -free supply chains that aim to prevent the destruction of forests from the production of certain raw materials. The new rules should actually apply from December 2025, after a shift that has already taken place by one year. However, the eleven Member States will initiate an introduction at a later date to loosen the regulations and relieve the economy, as the Kleine Zeitung reports.

The Ordinance on Delimizing Products (Eudr) was put into force on June 30, 2023 and will be used for market participants in the EU on December 30, 2025. Smaller companies are granted an additional period by June 30, 2026 to face the requirements. Future import projects of raw materials such as soy, beef, palm oil, cocoa and coffee can only reach the EU if there are no connections to deforestation or forest damage. According to the FAO, around 420 million hectares of forest have lost worldwide in the past thirty years. Compliance with Eudr is therefore necessary to prevent a further loss of biological diversity.

goals of the Eudr and new diligence duties

This regulation pursues several important goals. On the one hand, it is about reducing the design and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it should be in accordance with the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal. The Eudr defines binding duties for companies that act with risky raw materials and requires evidence of the origin of these materials. According to the regulation, only products may be imported from areas that were no longer developed or damaged after December 31, 2020.

The regulations concern not only the imports, but also goods that are exported from the EU to protect domestic forests. Market participants have to trace the raw materials back to the location of the generation. Smaller companies have the opportunity to join forces to create the necessary declarations of care. The EU plans to strengthen its cooperation with partner countries, especially those with high risk of deforestation.

reactions and challenges

However, the new regulations are on the brink. Some trading partners such as Brazil and the United States have already submitted formal complaints against EU requirements. Critics fear that a rigid handling of the Eudr could burden international trade. Companies that violate the rules can expect high fines - they can be up to four percent of their annual sales in the EU. Member States are responsible for the control of compliance with these regulations and can impose sanctions.

In view of the concerns and the different interests within the EU, it will be a challenge for those responsible to find a balance between environmental goals and economic feasibility. The pressure from eleven Member States, including Austria and Italy, could further fuel the debate about the regulations in the coming months.

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