Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) made some changes to simplify the EU’s deforestation law, which was enacted in 2023 to ensure that products sold in the EU aren’t sourced from deforested land. On Wednesday, they voted on targeted solutions to help businesses, global partners, and both EU and non-EU countries follow the EU Deforestation Regulation more easily. This comes after their earlier decision to fast-track a new proposal from the Commission.
Parliament adopted a regulation on 19 April 19 2023, to combat climate change and biodiversity loss by preventing deforestation linked to EU consumption of certain products. The FAO estimates that 420 million hectares of forest were lost to deforestation from 1990 to 2020, with the EU accounting for about 10% of this, mainly from palm oil and soy.
Parliament has decided to grant companies an additional year to comply with new EU regulations aimed at preventing deforestation. Large operators and traders must adhere to these rules by 30 December 2026, while micro and small enterprises have until 30 June 2027. This extension is designed to ensure a smooth transition and improve the IT systems used for electronic due diligence statements.
MEPs proposed that the obligation to submit due diligence statements should lie with businesses that first introduce relevant products to the EU market, rather than with those that commercialise them later. Additionally, micro and small primary operators will only need to submit a one-off simplified declaration.
Parliament has also requested a review of the law’s impact and administrative burden by 30 April 2026. The Regulation was adopted with 402 votes in favour, 250 against, and eight abstentions. Parliament is now ready to negotiate with member states on the final law, which must be approved and published in the EU Official Journal by the end of 2025 for the one-year delay to take effect.
EPP supports simplifying deforestation regulation
The EPP Group backed the European Parliament’s vote to simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation, ensuring it prevents illegal deforestation while easing burdens on farmers and operators. Key components for implementation are still missing, necessitating a delay, the EPP said. Many EU countries share this concern, and the EPP Group played a key role in presenting the Council’s position, which Parliament has now adopted.
“Today’s vote demonstrates the EPP Group’s commitment to protecting the world’s forests, while also listening to the concerns of farmers, foresters and businesses affected. Our position is based on the compromise that was supported by 24 Member States. It is a significant step forward in our efforts to promote economic growth and more sustainable forestry practices,” said Christine Schneider, Parliament’s lead negotiator on the European Deforestation Regulation.
S&D Group rejects deforestation law outcome, warning of environmental damage and legal uncertainty
The S&D Group opposed today’s vote on the EU Deforestation Regulation, which was weakened by the cooperation between the EPP and far-right groups. The early review demand creates uncertainty and delays, while traceability requirements were weakened, said the S&D Group. This undermines the Regulation’s enforceability and the EU’s environmental leadership, leading the S&Ds to vote against it.
“Every minute, around 100 trees are cut or burned down to satisfy Europe’s demand for coffee, cocoa, beef and other products. We want to put an end to the deforestation hidden in our shopping baskets. That is why the EU Deforestation Regulation must enter into force quickly and without loopholes, especially for large international companies with a high deforestation risk,” said Delara Burkhardt, S&D lead negotiator on the EU Deforestation Regulation.
“We Social Democrats have put a constructive compromise for the political centre on the table: rapid application of the anti-deforestation rules for large companies, which bear particular responsibility, and more time for smaller companies. In parallel, the Regulation’s challenges for small businesses would be looked at again in detail. But the EPP Group rejected our outstretched hand for a compromise among the pro-European forces,” she added.
