17/01/2023 (Agence Europe) – On the evening of Monday 16 January, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee validated the political agreement reached on 6 December 2022 between the European Parliament and the EU Council on the regulation to reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation (see EUROPE 13078/9). Under the text, only products that can be proven not to have contributed to global forest degradation or deforestation can be sold in the EU or exported from the EU thanks to a due diligence requirement in supply chains. The regulation will cover palm oil, beef, timber, coffee, cocoa, soya, rubber, by-products such as chocolate, furniture, printed paper, charcoal and certain palm oil derivatives. The European Parliament vote of approval is scheduled for the end of March. (AN)