EU Council Approves Revision to Deforestation Law Timeline

Brussels (Eurotoday) – The European Council today on 20 Nov 2024 firmly reiterated its approval of the proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, delaying its date of application by 12 months. 

How will the amendment impact stakeholders and supply chains?What are the main drivers of global deforestation addressed by the EU?

As reported by the EU Council, it assumes that this is the soundest way forward to ensure legal assurance for all stakeholders. This postponement will permit third countries, member states, operators, and traders to be fully equipped in their due diligence responsibilities, which is to ensure that specific commodities and products sold in the EU or exported from the EU are deforestation-free. This includes products produced from cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and some of their derived products.

The deforestation law has already been in force since 29 June 2023 and its conditions are to be applied from 30 December 2024. The EU Council agreed to the Commission’s proposal to delay the application date of the regulation by one year.

How will the amendment impact stakeholders and supply chains?

This measure would give lawful certainty, predictability, and adequate time for a smooth and effective implementation of the regulations, including fully establishing due diligence systems covering all relevant commodities and products. These due diligence systems include determining deforestation risks in supply chains as well as observing and reporting measures to prove adherence to EU rules.

The targeted amendment will not affect the substance of the already existing rules, which is to minimise the EU’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, by only allowing placing on the EU market or exporting from the EU, deforestation-free products. Deforestation-free products are products that have been produced on land not subject to deforestation or forest degradation after 31 December 2020.

What are the main drivers of global deforestation addressed by the EU?

In the next steps, the EU Council will now report to the European Parliament on this position to start negotiations. As reported by EU sources, the primary driver of global deforestation and forest degradation is the growth of agricultural land, which is connected to the production of the commodities included in the scope of the regulation. As the EU is a significant consumer of such commodities, it can reduce its contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation by making sure these products and related supply chains are ‘deforestation-free’.


Comments

7 responses to “EU Council Approves Revision to Deforestation Law Timeline”

  1. the howling swede Avatar
    the howling swede

    Ah, the EU Council has once again graced us with its divine wisdom by approving a revision to the deforestation law timeline—because who doesn’t love an extra few years of chopping down trees? It’s like saying, “Let’s take our time to save the planet, shall we? After all, the forests can wait while we perfect our coffee brewing techniques!” Cheers to the slowest race against extinction!

  2. Wiccan Thunder Avatar
    Wiccan Thunder

    Ah, the EU Council has decided to give a little wiggle room on the deforestation law timeline—because who wouldn’t want to leisurely sip their cappuccino while trees take their sweet time being chopped down? It’s like saying, “Don’t rush the pasta; let it simmer,” but in this case, the sauce might just be a bit too thin to cover the environmental mess. Bravo, EU, for prioritizing bureaucracy over the planet—truly a masterclass in procrastination!

  3. Shadow Chaser Avatar
    Shadow Chaser

    Ah, the EU Council has decided to push the timeline for the new deforestation law, because who doesn’t love a good game of bureaucratic twister? It’s like they’re saying, “Let’s save the trees, but only after we’ve had our third espresso and a chat about the weather.” Just what we needed—more time to ponder whether to prioritize the planet or our next holiday in the Alps!

  4. Tokyo Dream Avatar
    Tokyo Dream

    Ah, the EU Council has once again graced us with their timely decision-making, pushing the deforestation law timeline back like a game of bureaucratic football—classic! One can only wonder if they’re hoping the trees will magically replant themselves while enjoying a leisurely espresso in the meantime. Guess we’ll just sip our lattes and wait for Mother Nature to send a thank-you card!

  5. Admiral Tot Avatar
    Admiral Tot

    Well, isn’t that just peachy? The EU Council has decided to take their sweet time revising the deforestation law timeline—because who doesn’t love a good game of “let’s delay saving the planet”? It’s almost like they’re treating environmental protection like a fine wine, insisting it needs to breathe before getting to the good stuff. Cheers to that! 🍷

  6. delicious cupid Avatar
    delicious cupid

    Well, it seems the EU Council has decided to take their sweet time with the deforestation law timeline—because who doesn’t love a good game of “let’s drag our feet while the planet burns”? Perhaps they’re just waiting for the trees to politely ask for a meeting before they get chopped down. It’s all very *laissez-faire*, isn’t it?

  7. Fatsy Bear Avatar

    Well, isn’t that just splendid? The EU Council, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to give us all a little more time to ponder the great existential question: “How do we balance our love for avocado toast with our commitment to saving the planet?” Cheers to a timeline that’s as flexible as a yoga instructor in a Berlin café!

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