A coalition of European Union countries, led by Austria, is calling for urgent revisions to the bloc’s upcoming anti-deforestation law, expressing concerns that the legislation could negatively impact European farmers. The request, detailed in a document reviewed by Reuters on Monday, underscores tensions within the EU over balancing environmental ambitions with economic interests.
The anti-deforestation law, set to take effect on December 30, aims to eliminate deforestation from supply chains for agricultural products such as beef and soy sold in Europe. By enforcing stricter regulations, the EU intends to ensure that European consumption does not contribute to the destruction of global forests, including critical ecosystems from the Amazon to Southeast Asia.
The legislation applies equally to farmers within the EU, who will be prohibited from exporting products cultivated on deforested or degraded woodland. Austria, along with Finland, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden—co-signatories of the document—argue that this could place an undue burden on European agricultural producers.
“The agreed overall objective of tackling deforestation in third countries must not be to the detriment of the European economy, in particular the European agriculture and forestry sector,” the document states.
Recent months have seen EU leaders temper several environmental policies in response to widespread protests by farmers across Europe. The agricultural community has voiced concerns that certain green initiatives are excessive and could threaten their livelihoods.
The group of nations suggests that producers in “low-risk” countries—a category likely encompassing many EU member states—should be exempt from some of the law’s stringent requirements. They advocate for a significant reduction in the administrative burden of certifying products as deforestation-free within the EU.
The countries also highlight practical challenges, noting that the EU’s information system for tracking compliance is not expected to be fully operational by the law’s implementation date. They caution that farmers transitioning to more sustainable practices, such as organic farming, may inadvertently be penalized if they need to expand cultivated areas in regions rich in forests.
EU agriculture ministers are slated to discuss these concerns during a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. The outcome could have significant implications not only for European farmers but also for global efforts to combat deforestation.
The anti-deforestation law is part of the EU’s broader strategy to address climate change and environmental degradation. By targeting deforestation, the EU aims to protect biodiversity and uphold international commitments, including the Paris Agreement. However, the pushback from member states signals the complexity of implementing ambitious environmental policies while balancing economic and social considerations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
