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7h ago

EU Moves to Ease Deforestation Rules With First‑Importer Checks and Phased Rollout

The proposal now heads to EU institutions for rapid negotiations on a compromise before a year‑end deadline.

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Im Streit um ein Gesetz gegen Abholzung will die EU-Kommission zahlreiche Unternehmen aus der Verantwortung nehmen. Ein bereits angekündigter Aufschub der Regeln soll jedoch nur für kleine Firmen gelten.
Bundeslandwirtschaftsminister Alois Rainer (CSU) hat den Vorschlag der EU-Kommission für deutliche Lockerungen des Gesetzes gegen Abholzung als nicht ausreichend kritisiert.

Overview

  • Only the first importer placing a product on the EU market would have to submit origin and geolocation information, lifting reporting duties from downstream traders and retailers.
  • Large and medium companies keep the 30 December 2025 start date but get a six‑month grace period without penalties, while micro and small firms face a one‑year delay to 30 December 2026.
  • Micro and small businesses would file a one‑off, simplified declaration and could rely on data already held in national databases rather than repeat submissions.
  • The regulation bars sales of goods linked to land deforested after 2020 and covers seven commodities including coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy, rubber, wood and beef.
  • EU governments and the European Parliament must approve the changes, with some pushing a “zero‑risk” country exemption that faces unresolved WTO questions, as farm groups welcome the shift and environmental NGOs object.