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Brussels – Members of the European Parliament today approved the postponement of the validity of the Union regulation on deforestation, which is intended to ensure that products sold in the EU do not come from deforested land anywhere in the world. The European Commission proposed the postponement by one year after criticism from businesses and some member states. The Czech Republic also requested the postponement.
Opponents pointed out that some of the mechanisms introduced by the regulation are not sufficiently prepared. According to some companies, the regulation also introduced new bureaucratic obligations and could lead to increased prices. Importers of certain raw materials are particularly concerned about this. The regulation was originally supposed to start being valid at the end of this year, but its validity is now postponed until the end of next year.
The aim of the regulation, adopted by the European Parliament on April 19, 2023, is to combat climate change and biodiversity loss by preventing deforestation linked to the consumption of products from livestock, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, rubber, charcoal, and printed paper in the EU. The regulation came into force on June 29 last year. Large and medium-sized companies were required to comply with the regulation’s requirements from December 30 of this year, while small companies and micro-enterprises from June 30, 2025.
Concerns about excessive bureaucracy, increased costs or complications in the supply of beef, chocolate, and other foods were expressed by farmers, traders, and food producers. The Czech Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný also requested the postponement. (November 14)