Commission caves in to lobbyists: postponement of EU deforestation law is unacceptable

The European Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, today announced that the Commission is considering delaying the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by yet another year. For the Socialists & Democrats, such a postponement is unacceptable. The regulation is a key instrument to guarantee that goods placed on the EU market are deforestation-free, and any delay undermines the EU's climate and environmental commitments.

Delara Burkhardt, S&D lead negotiator on the EU deforestation regulation, said:

"Delaying the implementation of the deforestation regulation yet again would be a major setback for European environmental policy and for fair competition for sustainable businesses. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen must know that by bowing to the EPP and the far right, the cooperation of pro-European forces at the political centre is put at risk. It also raises the question whether the Commission President is giving in to Washington's demands for deregulation in Europe as pushed for by the US administration during the negotiations for a trade deal.

"Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall's announcement comes under a flimsy pretext. The application of the regulation has already been postponed by a year, and the Commission has published extensive guidelines to enable companies to implement it without red tape. Businesses and the European Commission have had plenty of time to be ready.

"Just ahead of the UN climate conference in Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon, the EU is sending the wrong signal. Rather than leading the global fight against deforestation, the Commission is undermining Europe's credibility and position as a role model."