The EU bans the marketing of products that contribute to deforestation and forest destruction

By: STA Date: 2022. 12. 06. 10:35

The European Parliament and the European Council, which brings together EU member states, would prevent the market distribution of products that contribute to deforestation and forest destruction by law, the European Commission announced on Tuesday.

(Photo: Pixabay)

According to the board’s press release, the application of the legislation contributes to stopping global deforestation and forest destruction, thus the reduction of biodiversity. With the entry into force of the new rules, all relevant companies will have to carry out strict due diligence when placing palm oil, beef, soya, coffee, cocoa, wood and rubber and products derived from them on the EU market: traders will have to prove that the goods are deforestation-free produced on land, in accordance with the laws in force in the issuing country. EU member states must ensure that non-compliance with the rules results in effective and deterrent sanctions – high fines.

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This will also help the EU manage its activities to stop deforestation together with partner countries, with particular regard to the protection of local communities and indigenous peoples, the commission said. The European Parliament and the Council have yet to officially adopt the new regulation. Once it enters into force, market participants will have 18 months to implement the new rules. For small businesses, the EU provides a longer adjustment period.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), between 1990 and 2020, 420 million hectares of forest – an area exceeding the territory of the European Union – were lost due to deforestation. According to EU data, about 11 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity come from forestry, mainly deforestation.

MTI