Changes approved in the European Parliament weaken the EUDR, the European anti-deforestation law that promised to consolidate the European Union's climate leadership. By introducing the category of "risk-free" countries, parliamentarians allied with the far right voted to allow more deforestation, both inside and outside Europe.
The changes approved on Thursday (11/14) by the European Parliament to the European Union Regulation for Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) substantially weaken the legislation and compromise its potential to combat deforestation and the degradation of ecosystems essential for climate balance.
The European Parliament, with the support of the European People's Party and far-right factions, voted in favor of a one-year postponement for the law to come into effect and for modifications that open a dangerous loophole in the regulation. The EUDR was due to fully enter into force in a month and a half, on December 30, 2024.
The most damaging measure was the creation of the "risk-free" country category, which essentially exempts some countries from complying with necessary deforestation checks, creating more permissive regulations and opening the door to abuses and illegal activities. These changes weaken the EUDR and leave loopholes, which could affect the achievement of its objectives of environmental protection and the promotion of deforestation-free supply chains.
The introduction of this new category and the relaxation of traceability and transparency rules in supply chains are changes that represent a significant setback in environmental protection and the rights of populations that depend on the ecosystems most affected by the production of commodities for export.
“ISPN reiterates its call for the European Union to reverse these changes and resume a robust and effective approach to the implementation of the EUDR. The Institute reinforces its request for the President of the Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, to withdraw her proposal to change the enforceability date initially scheduled for January 2025,” declares Guilherme Eidt, coordinator of Public Policies and Advocacy at ISPN.
For him, the relaxation of rules cannot be justified under the pretext of facilitating trade or reducing costs for sectors of the economy. Combating deforestation and human rights violations requires firm legislation that guarantees transparency and traceability at all stages of supply chains.
The category of "risk-free countries" and its impacts.
The introduction of the "risk-free" category allows countries not considered high-risk for deforestation, such as many European Union member states, to be virtually exempt from stringent controls. This means that some countries and companies would have no compliance checks whatsoever, which jeopardizes the entire purpose of the EUDR.
The impact of this change is clear: by allowing products from areas where deforestation is a reality to continue to be marketed, but which are not considered "at risk" under the new categorization, the EUDR loses its effectiveness as a tool to combat the destruction of essential forests and biomes.
Risks to the Cerrado and traditional peoples
The Cerrado, one of the most biodiverse and fundamental biomes for water balance in Brazil, is being devastated by activities related to the expansion of agriculture. The EUDR (European Union for Deforestation and Rural Development) already only covered 26% of the Cerrado biome. Now, in its weakened version, it is possible that products originating from deforestation in the Cerrado, and other biomes, could be traded with even less control.
“The lack of strict requirements to ensure that commodities are not linked to legal or illegal deforestation that occurred after January 1, 2021, weakens the protection of the territories of indigenous populations and traditional communities, which are constantly invaded by activities involving deforestation, land grabbing, and illegal exploitation,” says Isabel Figueiredo, coordinator of the Cerrado Program at ISPN.
The changes to the EUDR also undermine the efforts of companies and producers working to ensure deforestation-free supply chains and promote traceability in their processes.
More than 50 European companies investing in sustainable supply chains have already warned about the risks this weakening poses to their businesses, as it creates an environment of legal uncertainty and deregulation, undermining efforts to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
ISPN calls on the European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, to withdraw the proposal to postpone the implementation of the EUDR and restore the necessary rigor for the regulation to fulfill its fundamental role in protecting forests and preserving the climate.
To learn more about how European laws can protect the Cerrado and the rights of traditional peoples, read here.
ISPN Communications Office / Letícia Verdi