From Italy to Austria, pressure from EU countries to postpone the regulation against deforestation

The actual implementation of the measure, one of the most ambitious in the European green agenda, will begin at the end of 2024.But eight governments protest

The Czech Republic has asked the European Commission to postpone the entry into force of the regulation against deforestation, rekindling pressure from some EU countries so that the new team led by Ursula von der Leyen decides to reintroduce the measure.«The impact on individual companies and supply chains is difficult to estimate at this time.To minimize potential negative effects, the Commission must give sufficient time to all actors to familiarize themselves with the key tools needed to implement the regulation", the press office of the Czech Ministry of Agriculture said in an official note.«Given that this has not yet been done – continues the statement – ​​we, like many other EU member states, ask that the implementation of the regulation be postponed».

The common front of eight EU governments

It is not the first time that the European regulation against deforestation, one of the most ambitious provisions of the policies of Green Deal, ends up at the center of criticism and controversy.Last March, in the wake of farmers' protests, other governments tried to convince Brussels to postpone the law's entry into force.Among the countries that have promoted this campaign in recent months there is also Italy, joined by Austria, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.A rather large front, which can now count on a new member:the Czech Republic.However, it remains very difficult for these eight countries to actually be able to scuttle an approved law - indeed by a large majority – over a year and a half ago.A request to postpone the entry into force of the measure also came from the EPP, the European People's Party, which on environmental issues is often divided between those who ask for ambitious measures and those who preach moderation and caution.

What does the EUDR provide?

The European regulation that has come under fire from some European governments aims to reduce the European Union's contribution to deforestation.The measure requires companies that market palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cocoa, wood, rubber, furniture or chocolate to demonstrate that their products do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.The regulation, in reality, has already entered into force in June 2023 but gives companies eighteen months to adapt to the new rules.This means that the actual implementation of the new provisions will begin from 30 December 2024, while small businesses have been granted another six additional months, i.e. until 30 June 2025.

Criticisms of the EU regulation

Last March, following farmers' protests, seven European governments launched an appeal to the European Commission to ask it to retrace its steps.According to the countries in question, which also includes Italy, the new obligations under the regulation entail "a disproportionate administrative burden" for the European agricultural sector and would slow down other programs put in place by Brussels, for example the incentives for agriculture biological.In reality, the European organic sector organizations themselves have criticized this stance, clarifying that the governments in question are "using organic farming as an excuse to weaken environmental legislation".

On the cover:A worker at a palm oil plantation in Sabak Bernam, Malaysia, July 21, 2023 (EPA/Fazry Ismail)