EU member states do not want to tinker with the deforestation law

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Like the member states earlier, the European Parliament last week agreed to the proposal to postpone the entry into force of the deforestation regulation by one year to early 2026. However, at the urging of the European People’s Party (EPP), a right-wing majority in the hemicycle also asked that the law would no longer apply to member states and third countries where there is no risk of deforestation.

However, that proposal fell on deaf ears with the member states on Wednesday. According to a source, there was a “clear message” at the diplomatic meeting that the member states want to adhere to the postponement, but are not willing to tinker with the previously approved legislative text itself. “Opening the text would only create legal uncertainty and enormous time pressure,” it said. That is also Belgium’s position.

The deforestation regulation prohibits the import into the European Union of a whole range of products from lands that have been deforested since the beginning of 2021. The law should have come into force by the end of this year, but a proposal is on the table from the European Commission to postpone the entry into force by one year to give companies and traders more time to prepare. Several member states and trading partners had called for it.

Negotiators from the member states and the European Parliament must now return to the table to find an agreement.

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