The European Commission’s new proposals of 3 May, aimed at adjusting the provisions of the regulation on combating imported deforestation, have elicited mixed reactions (see EUROPE 13861/6).
The EuroCommerce organisation, which represents retailers and wholesalers, welcomed “a step in the right direction”, but stressed the scale of the effort needed to comply with the new rules. These require companies to guarantee that products such as coffee, wood or furniture do not contribute to deforestation, which involves complex traceability within global supply chains. “Our sector fully supports the fight against deforestation, however, [...] clarity and practicability of the rules is indispensable”, said Els Bedert, Director for Product Policy and Sustainability at this organisation, pointing to the risks of trade disruption. In particular, EuroCommerce is calling for rapid adoption of the final measures, at least six months to adapt, and a fully operational IT system.
Representatives of German forest owners are criticising the lack of simplification. Supported by AGDW (Die Waldeigentümer), the sector’s Brussels representative believes that the proposed adjustments “fall far short of what practitioners need”.
“The changes are cosmetic and fail to reflect the operational reality of forest owners”, said Andreas Bitter, President of AGDW, citing an increased regulatory burden. Among the sticking points are the rules governing forestry associations and the requirements for geolocating plots, which are deemed too complex. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)