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To protect the rainforest: EU wants to ban the import of goods in the event of deforestation

To protect the rainforest: EU wants to ban the import of goods in the event of deforestation

In the European Union, the import of products should be banned if forests are cut down for them. Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU states agreed on this on Tuesday night. The law aims to protect the Amazon rainforest in South America and other forests. The compromise still requires the approval of Parliament and the EU states.

“The EU is a big consumer and trader of commodities that contribute significantly to deforestation, such as beef, cocoa, soy and timber,” said Czech Environment Minister Marian Jurecka. Until the end of the year, the country will hold the regularly rotating presidency of the EU countries.

The new regulations also apply to goods that contain or are made from listed raw materials. These include, for example, leather, chocolate and furniture.

Companies face fines

During the negotiations, MPs were able to ensure that the rules also include rubber, charcoal and printed paper products, it said. In 2024 it will be checked whether further goods need to be included.

If the new law is given the green light, it will come into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. There is a transition period of 18 months for certain parts. Specifically, companies must issue a due diligence declaration that goods sold on the EU market have not led to deforestation and forest degradation anywhere. The deadline for deforestation is December 31, 2020. Those who do not follow the rules risk fines.

The environmental organizations Greenpeace, WWF and Südwind praised it. SPD MP Delara Burkhardt said it would soon be over to cut down the Amazon rainforest, to sell wood in the EU, to keep cattle on the freed-up land and to offer steaks in Europe’s supermarkets.

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Source: Nachrichten

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