S&Ds to EPP: Don’t undermine the EU Deforestation Law!

Tomorrow, the European Parliament will take a decisive stance on the European Commission's proposal to delay the implementation of the EU's pioneering deforestation regulation, aimed at ensuring that products imported into the EU are deforestation-free.

While the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament acknowledge the need for a one-year delay to give businesses time to comply with the legislation, they strongly oppose the European People's Party (EPP)'s proposed amendments that seek to dilute the provisions of the regulation. This landmark law is crucial in the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change, and its ambition and substance must remain unwavering.

These EPP amendments, which stand a chance of success only with far-right group backing, threaten to weaken one of the EU's flagship environmental measures. Should these changes pass, the S&D Group calls on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to withdraw the proposal for postponement entirely. Such amendments would not only create legal uncertainty for companies but also represent an unacceptable compromise on the Green Deal - a key commitment von der Leyen has pledged to uphold.

Christophe Clergeau, S&D co-vice-president on the Green Deal, commented:

"The EU deforestation law represents a pivotal commitment to safeguarding our planet's biodiversity and taking a firm stand against climate change. Delaying the law to accommodate business preparations is one thing, but gutting it is another. If the EPP and far-right amendments proceed, they will be attacking the Green Deal's very foundation and jeopardising Europe's environmental leadership. The EPP should withdraw its amendments immediately. Should any of these amendments be adopted, the S&D Group will vote against the final text. We must hold firm to our principles for our planet, our people and our future."

Delara Burkhardt, S&D MEP and negotiator on the EU deforestation law, said:

"The European Commission offered a sensible compromise, proposing a one-year delay in the regulation's implementation to give businesses extra time to adapt. Supporting this balanced compromise in the political centre would be responsible policy-making. But instead, the EPP is more interested in political arm wrestling.

"The Conservatives' approach is not only politically reckless but economically damaging. Businesses need certainty; instead, they now face increased legal ambiguity and planning insecurity. If the European Parliament, headed by this EPP-led right-wing majority, approves these amendments, it will trigger new negotiations with EU member states, delaying the process by several weeks. As a result, updates to the Deforestation Regulation could be pushed into the new year, while the current regulation may take effect before any revised rules are in place, extending uncertainty indefinitely. This means maximum chaos for our companies, farmers and foresters.

"If EPP amendments pass, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen should withdraw the proposal for postponement entirely. Such amendments would not only create legal uncertainty for companies but also represent an unacceptable compromise on the Green Deal."

Background:

On 2 October, the European Commission proposed to postponethe enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by one year. Under the original schedule, larger companies would have been required to prove by 30 December that wood, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy, cattle, rubber, or products derived from these materials were produced without harming forests. For smaller companies, the regulation was set to apply from mid-2025.

According to the Commission's new proposal, the rules would apply to large companies starting December 30, 2025, and to smaller businesses beginning June 30, 2026. A delay in the implementation timeline became necessary after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen only recently issued implementation guidelines for companies still facing questions regarding the practical application of the regulation. The pro-European groups of the political centre - S&D, Renew and Greens - have made clear that they won't support any weakening of the content of the EUDR.

EU member states' ambassadors provisionally approved the Commission's proposal on 16 October. Should the European Parliament accept the Commission's proposal without further amendments, Parliament and Council could reach an agreement within days via written procedure, allowing the amendment to take effect in time before 30 December, thus providing clarity for affected companies before the original regulation comes into force. However, if the European Parliament adopts the EPP's amendments, negotiations between the European Parliament, EU member states, and the European Commission (the 'trilogue') will be required. Any eventual agreement would need confirmation in both a European Parliament and a Council session, after which the amendment would enter into force 20 days later. This would extend the process by several more weeks, meaning any changes would only take effect in the new year, while the current version of the EU Deforestation Regulation would apply from 30 December.