In a debate with the European Commission on Thursday 5 September in Brussels, MEPs of the European Parliament's Environment Committee welcomed the framework for action presented in July by the Commission to step up the fight against global deforestation (see EUROPE 12302/1).
The forest fires in the Amazon demonstrate what is at stake, said Pascal Canfin, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee (Renew Europe, France). The Commission's recognition of the EU's responsibility for the problem and its solution has contributed to this acceptance. Many MEPs welcomed the focus on EU trade policy and questioned the free trade agreement with Mercosur.
"The EU imports and consumes one third of global trade related to deforestation, including palm oil and timber. We are part of the problem and part of the solution", said Astrid Schomaker, Director for Global Sustainable Development at the Commission (DG Environment).
The Commission will organise a conference on forests in the EU on 22 and 23 January 2020, she announced. According to her, the institution has also started working on the multi-stakeholder platform on deforestation, forest degradation and forest production. Discussions have begun with the Joint Research Centre to establish the global deforestation observatory.
Many MEPs have called for regulation of imports related to deforestation. Ms Schomaker replied: "We have done feasibility studies on the type of regulation, but the question is whether sector-specific measures or a comprehensive approach is needed. We need ambitious legislation, but one that is enforceable by operators. That is why we are cautiously saying that we will evaluate which regulations could be useful”.
"What does regulatory action mean? We must ensure sustainable growth in less developed countries. Taking trade hostage is not a solution", said Pernille Weiss (EPP, Denmark). "If we conclude a non-binding agreement, it should come as no surprise that Bolsonaro deforests. Is the agreement with Mercosur binding or not?", said Martin Haüsling (Greens/EFA, Germany).
Ms Schomaker reiterated the Commission's position: "Trade policy allows us to engage in dialogue. If the free trade agreement with Mercosur is signed, Brazil will become part of the Paris Agreement. We need a strengthened dialogue. Some say that we must close our markets now to raw materials from deforestation. This is not the kind of action we are considering in the context of multilateralism”.
Following agreement by the coordinators of the political groups, the Environment Committee will prepare an own-initiative report, Pascal Canfin announced. Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) acknowledged that he had "been convinced" and stressed the importance of a debate in plenary session in Strasbourg in two weeks' time.
"Don't jump to conclusions about Mercosur. We need clear positions and sustainable solutions", he added.
Finnish liberal Nils Torvalds, stressing that the EU is a "major importer of soya, so partly responsible for what is happening in Brazil", called for "clear positions".
Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL, Netherlands) recalled that "forests burn all over the world, including here, in Germany and the Netherlands", and that one million species are threatened with extinction worldwide. "Europe and its agricultural and trade policy contribute to this. The EU imported 1.5 million tonnes of soya and 400 million tonnes of beef last year", she said. According to her, it is absolutely essential to "change our dietary habits, stop intensive livestock subsidies”.
For the Italian Eleonora Evi (Non-attached Member), our consumption of cereals and meat is in contradiction with the EU's ambition for biodiversity and climate. She deplored the fact that the EU "imports GMO soya without taking into account the objections of the European Parliament". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)