On Monday 17 April, the political groups in the European Parliament showed unity during the opening of the Parliament plenary session in the debate on the proposed regulation to significantly reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation.
And for good reason: the Parliament is behind this proposal, to which it will give its final green light on Wednesday, according to the political agreement reached at the end of 2022 with the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 13078/9) on a “pioneering” and “ambitious” regulation.
The text states that only products that companies can prove have not contributed to global forest degradation or deforestation can be sold in the EU or exported from the EU under a due diligence requirement in supply chains. Seven commodities will be covered - soybeans, palm oil, livestock, timber, cocoa, coffee and rubber - and by-products.
Highlighting that 10 million hectares of forest are lost every year worldwide and that “1.2 million citizens in the EU believe that we must stop the destruction of forests”, rapporteur Christophe Hansen (EPP, Luxembourg) said that “Wednesday’s vote will be a turning point, as it will strengthen trade relations with countries that share our ecological values”. He hoped that “other countries, such as the United States, will follow suit”.
Karin Kalsbro (Renew Europe, Swedish) said that “trade policy is the most important lever to protect forests”.
At a time when “the world's forests are on the brink of collapse”, ensuring that we do not cause deforestation around the world “is good for consumers too”, said Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA, German). In her view, the future regulation must not be “used as an excuse for a bad agreement with Mercosur”.
MEPs and the European Commission have welcomed the improved consideration of the rights of indigenous peoples. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)