In its Position Statement on the European Union Anti-Deforestation Act (EUDR), ISPN calls on Member States and the European Commission to strengthen, broaden the scope of, and ensure the effective implementation of the Act as a tool for global environmental and climate preservation.
The Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN) acknowledges the decision of the European Union member states to protect the integrity of the text of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by rejecting attempts to weaken it advocated by the European Parliament. However, ISPN expresses concern about the impact that delaying the entry into force of the Law will have on the global climate and biodiversity.
The EUDR prevents countries in the European bloc from importing and trading products originating from areas where deforestation or forest degradation has occurred since December 31, 2020.
The delay in implementing the law represents an opportunity for new attacks against the regulation, threatening to compromise its essential objectives. Furthermore, the additional timeframe increases uncertainty regarding the implementation of an effective risk rating for countries, which should accurately reflect the exposure to deforestation of the supply chains that fuel the European market.
ISPN warns of the risks of failures in a system that does not consider the complexity and scope of commodity supply chains, such as soy and beef, frequently associated with deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado and other biomes. The inclusion of a "risk-free countries" categorization, if adopted inappropriately, could weaken controls and compromise global efforts to curb the destruction of native vegetation.
Key points highlighted by ISPN
- Climate and Biodiversity Risks: Each month of delay in implementing the EUDR intensifies the damage to global ecosystems and weakens international climate commitments. Forests and other native biomes, such as the Cerrado, continue to be devastated at alarming rates, threatening biodiversity and the populations that depend directly on these territories.
- Representative Risk ClassificationThe creation of a categorization system needs to be conducted with transparency and technical rigor, considering the supply chains with the greatest environmental and social impact. Any loophole in this process will compromise the traceability and reliability of the regulations.
- Expanding the Scope of EUDRWe emphasize the need to include non-forest biomes exposed to native vegetation conversion, such as savannas and grasslands, ensuring effective protection for all vulnerable ecosystems.
ISPN reaffirms its commitment to promoting public policies that combine environmental justice and transparency in global supply chains. We call on Member States and the European Commission to use this period to strengthen regulations, broaden their scope, and ensure that the implementation of the EUDR is an effective tool for global environmental and climate preservation.
Learn more:
European NGOs call for investigation into soybean importing companies.
Policy and Advocacy Coordination of the Institute for Society, Population and Nature (ISPN)