The drama over enforcing the EU’s groundbreaking anti-deforestation rules (EUDR) is finally over, with trade partners now breathing a sigh of relief after months of legal uncertainty.
Last night (3 December), the European Parliament and Council agreed to delay the law’s enforcement by one year. The EUDR will target major global commodities like soy, cocoa, coffee, livestock, palm oil, timber, and rubber – some of the largest drivers of global deforestation.
Sure, the one-year delay gives governments and businesses more time to implement the rules. But the legislation’s core has remained intact, despite efforts by the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and far-right allies to weaken it by reopening key provisions. Ironically, this push came from the same party that led negotiations on the law two years ago.
Back in 2022, Christophe Hansen, an EPP member and now agriculture commissioner, was the Parliament’s lead negotiator on EUDR and successfully expanded the law’s ambition.
Under Hansen’s leadership, the scope of products covered increased and the definition of forest degradation was broadened. The legislation passed in a landslide: 552 votes to 44 – uniting Greens, centrists and even the far right.
Fast forward to this year, the tide has turned.
EPP lawmaker Christine Schneider proposed 15 amendments to dilute the rules. Why? A close look into the proposed amendments suggests they were designed to shield European companies, farmers, and administrations from the same standards imposed on trade partners – a move that can be described as “green protectionism.”
From the beginning, the EUDR was a hard pill to swallow for leading producers of these commodities, responsible for an important part of global deforestation, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brazil, who have often slammed the rules as discriminatory.
A particularly controversial EPP proposal, the ‘no risk’ category, would have exempted countries with a history of reforestation from checks – creating potential loopholes that could allow deforestation products to continue to enter the EU.
This led to accusations of hypocrisy, with Brazil’s largest farming group, CNA, wasting no time condemning the ‘”no-risk” category as a “protectionist” move pandering to European interests.
“It is an unambiguous sop to European interests and a knee-jerk reaction to recent demonstrations across Europe,” Felipe Spaniol, advocacy coordinator at the CNA, told Euractiv.
This is not the first time the EU has faced criticism for using environmental policies as trade barriers. Its carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and opposition to the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement have also raised eyebrows.
EU leaders are quick to claim high environmental standards are non-negotiable, but some of the same groups decrying Mercosur on sustainability grounds seem far more resistant to greening Europe’s own food system.
For the EU to maintain credibility on sustainability and trade, it must apply consistent standards – both within its borders and beyond. Without this, its green policies risk being seen as protectionist posturing rather than genuine environmental leadership.
The Roundup
Economy – “Deindustrialisation is a reality, and de-Europeanisation is part of that equation,” said Anthony Gooch Gálvez of the European Round Table for Industry.
Economy – Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro is in favour of ‘European champions’ but not in France or Germany, wanting a “new approach” to the European cohesion pillar.
Italian economy – The Italian government and the opposition called on Stellantis Chairman John Elkann to appear before parliament, to address the crisis within the company and the automotive sector, and give assurances about jobs in Italy.
Wolf debate – Explaining Europe’s campaign to reduce the protection of wolves.
Corruption charges – Belgian police raid properties of former EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, suspected of laundering money by purchasing lottery e-tickets.
Energy-efficient buildings – Local energy communities pinning hopes on new Commission. “Some of the building blocks are there, but an enabling framework for energy communities is still needed.”
Romanian elections – Romanian hard right says it wants to be part of the new government. Far-right candidate Călin Georgescu would win 57.8% in the presidential election run-off.
Agrifood – The sheep plague outbreak exposed the total distrust of Bulgarian institutions. “Protests in front of the minister’s home will not solve things.”
Polish politics – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reiterated plans for a proactive Polish EU presidency. “We will be very determined to make Europe think in Polish.”
Combustion engine ban – Teresa Ribera, the Commission’s new executive vice-president for a fair, clean, and competitive transition, warns that the EU is not considering delaying the ban on combustion engine cars after 2035.
Iceland elections – Iceland’s Social Democratic party leader Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir was asked to form a new government. Her challenge is to form a 32-seat majority with other parties.
Mystery of cut wires – Nordic kerfuffle over damage to Swedish-Finnish data cables. Disagreement stems over whether sabotage is suspected.
Ukraine war – European capitals revive discussions on troop deployments in Ukraine to secure a post-ceasefire and avoid being sidelined by the new US administration.
Look out for
EU ministers gather for a Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council to discuss transport issues in Brussels, Belgium.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council. He will also meet other political group leaders.
European Commission organises in hybrid format a forum “16th Citizens’ Energy Forum – Towards a Citizens Energy Package: Empowering citizens for a just energy transition.”in Budapest, Hungary.
European Commission organises an online conference, “Healthy Hearing for Healthy Ageing: Addressing Challenges of Hearing Loss in the EU.”
European Commission organises a hybrid conference, “Biosimilar medicines – Multistakeholder Event,” in Brussels, Belgium.
European Commission organises a workshop to present the report “Safe and sustainable by design.” in Brussels, Belgium.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organises a forum on “European Civil Society Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development.” in Brussels, Belgium.
Friends of Europe organises a hybrid conference, “EU-Western Balkans Summit: a renewed approach to the region,” in Brussels, Belgium.
EPC organises a conference on “Leading Europe in the new era: What skills and strategies do we need?” in Brussels, Belgium.
CEPS organises a conference on “Cybersecurity@CEPS SUMMIT 2024.” in Brussels, Belgium.
The Good Lobby organises an online conference, “Meet the Next EU Ombudsman” .
[Edited by Martina Monti/Rajnish Singh]
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Publish date : 2024-12-04 07:23:00
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