EU deforestation law faces new uncertainty

The EU's deforestation law is under pressure once again. Its implementation had already been postponed to the end of 2025, but even that deadline now seems shaky. Calls are growing to ease, or significantly weaken, the rules.

Looser rules for soy, cocoa and palm oil?

The law is intended to keep products linked to deforestation, such as soy, beef, palm oil, cocoa and timber, off the European market. That was the agreement made back in 2023.

But resistance is building. Several member states and companies are finding the implementation difficult. Trade partners are raising concerns. The push to ‘reopen’ the law is getting louder.

WWF sounds the alarm

WWF is ringing all the alarm bells. According to the organisation, the law was “a historic milestone in the global fight against deforestation, one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss and climate change.”

They worry the EU’s credibility is on the line. If the Union wants to lead on sustainability, it needs to stick to what was agreed. Weakening the law, WWF says, is not an option. “The Deforestation Regulation is one of the most important tools to tackle global deforestation. It must not be weakened, but implemented as agreed.”

Call to Brussels

The European Commission has the option to resist the pressure, to stand by the original text and reject proposals to water it down.

WWF is urging Brussels to hold firm. Especially now. “With the COP30 climate summit approaching, the EU must show it is choosing forests, people and fairer supply chains, not short-term interests of polluting industries.”

Wwf.nl