The EU deforestation regulation is intended to help prevent the destruction of forests. The German government is calling for a delay because, just a few months before the planned start, much is still uncertain.
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, on behalf of the federal government, is continuing to put pressure on the EU Commission to postpone the start of the EU deforestation regulation by six months. Four months before the planned entry into force, the EU Commission has not yet conclusively explained how it will help affected companies to implement the law, the Ministry of Agriculture announced. “The start of application must be postponed, period,” said Özdemir (Greens).
“Companies need sufficient time to prepare. This also applies to countries with small-scale production structures,” said the Federal Agriculture Minister. “Otherwise, supply chains are at risk of breaking at the end of the year – to the detriment of the German and European economy.”
German forest owners have been fighting against the EU plan for some time. The forest owners’ association AGDW recently called for the regulation to be postponed and revised.
Law to protect the rainforest
According to the regulation, products such as coffee, wood, soy, cocoa and palm oil may only be sold in the EU if no forests have been cleared for them after 2020. This is also intended to significantly reduce the deforestation of the rainforest, for example in the South American Amazon region.
Specifically, companies will in future have to provide a due diligence declaration that no forest was cleared or damaged for their product after December 31, 2020. Those who do not comply with the regulations must expect heavy fines of at least four percent of annual turnover in the EU.
Özdemir is receiving support from his coalition partner, the FDP. “The benefits and implementation of the deforestation regulation are completely unclear just a few weeks before it comes into force,” said FDP parliamentary group vice-chair Carina Konrad. “This creates uncertainty and presents forest owners with insurmountable challenges. This weakens trust in Germany and Europe.”
Source: Stern
