Germany Advocates for Delay in EU Deforestation Regulation

Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir, along with the forest owners' association AGDW, has called for a postponement of the EU deforestation regulation. This regulation aims to curb rainforest deforestation by requiring companies to submit due diligence declarations for products like coffee, wood, soy, cocoa, and palm oil.

Non-compliance could result in penalties of at least four percent of annual turnover in the EU. FDP parliamentary vice-president Carina Konrad supports the postponement, citing unresolved details that create significant uncertainties and challenges for forest owners.

The German government joins this call for delay, emphasizing that essential implementation elements are still missing just months before the regulation's enforcement. This delay request has garnered international attention, with criticism from various countries and organizations.

NGOs caution that postponing the regulation risks undermining its objectives, even as many companies are already preparing to comply. The regulation's aim is to reduce deforestation in the Amazon and other critical areas, but the lack of clarity in its execution poses potential setbacks.

As the debate continues, both proponents and critics of the delay underscore the need for a balanced approach that ensures environmental protection while addressing practical concerns of the stakeholders involved.