MEP Delara Burkhardt (S&D, Germany), author of a legislative, own-initiative report on the future EU legal framework to halt global deforestation for which the EU is responsible, presented her draft report to Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) on Thursday 2 July.
She calls on the European Commission to propose a legal framework for mandatory due diligence along supply chains for forest products and products posing a risk to ecosystems that are placed on the EU market, including sanctions.
Her project, the result of extensive consultations with business, the scientific community and NGOs, has been widely welcomed. Only the EPP and the ECR were more circumspect, even though all Members are calling for clear rules.
“Voluntary measures have failed, we need mandatory due diligence rules that apply to companies”, said Ms Burkhardt, recalling that the EU imports and consumes between 7 and 10% of the world’s consumption of plant and animal products linked to deforestation in the countries of origin. Her recommendations are based on the principles of corporate and financial institution responsibility, but also on the principle of sustainability.
The future legal framework will have to contain requirements on reporting, disclosure and third party involvement, provisions on liability and sanctions in case of non-compliance by all companies placing commodities or derived products with the highest risks for forests and ecosystems on the EU market for the first time. It is also expected to include provisions on access to justice and remedies for victims of violations of these obligations.
In particular, Ms Burkhardt wants companies to demonstrate their respect for human rights.
Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) figured that the “Commission and Council will never follow us”. Concerned about the repercussions for European production and competitiveness, he is awaiting an impact assessment. Marie Arena (S&D, Belgium) has dismissed these fears with a hand wave, pointing out that the EU has managed to get legislation on due diligence for conflict minerals. Anna Zalewska (ECR, Poland) insisted that legislation should be passed in the spirit of ‘better lawmaking’ and in compliance with national laws.
The Greens/EFA, like France’s Michèle Rivasi (rapporteur for the Development Committee), want to further strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples, include specific, ambitious and binding provisions on forests in trade agreements and effective and proportionate sanctions.
The deadline for tabling amendments is 9 July. The ENVI committee vote is scheduled for September, and the European Parliament vote is scheduled for October.
An impact assessment by the European Commission is expected in the autumn, as is the proposal for a European regulation in the first quarter of 2021. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)