EU deforestation law faces fresh calls for delay and weaker rules

The European Union is under mounting pressure from member states to once again delay and soften its upcoming anti-deforestation law, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The landmark law, aimed at curbing the EU’s role in global deforestation, would require companies to prove that key imports—like soy, beef, palm oil, cocoa, and coffee—did not contribute to deforestation. The policy targets the 10% of global deforestation linked to EU consumption, but it has become a flashpoint in Europe's broader green agenda.

Originally set to take effect this year, the law has already been postponed to December 2025 after pushback from major trading partners such as Brazil and the U.S., and from within the industry. Last week, the European Commission said it would ease enforcement by exempting most countries from the toughest checks.

Now, 11 EU countries—led by Austria and Luxembourg—have submitted a joint demand to simplify the rules even further and to delay implementation again. The group includes Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia.

“The requirements imposed on farmers and foresters remain high, if not impossible to implement,” the countries argued in a position paper to be discussed by EU agriculture ministers in Brussels on Monday. “They are disproportionate to the regulation’s objective.”

Under the policy, companies selling the listed products in the EU would need to provide detailed due diligence statements proving the goods did not come from deforested land. The same rule would apply to EU exporters. Non-compliance could bring fines of up to 4% of annual EU turnover.

The 11 countries are pushing for several amendments, including the creation of a new category for “very low risk” countries that would be exempt from customs checks and the need to trace product origins.

The European Commission has not yet responded to the latest demands.

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