Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Commission welcomed the provisional agreement between the EU Parliament and Council on new rules aimed at curbing deforestation.
The body noted in a statement released on Tuesday that the deal will help to curb deforestation in the EU and elsewhere by making supply chains deforestation-free.
It reminded that the EU is a large consumer and stressed that, according to the agreement, “a set of key goods placed on the EU market will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation.”
According to the EC, the move will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity, with the body pointing out that the EU Parliament and Council reached the agreement just before the start of COP15.
Targeted products include cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy and timber as well as derived products such as chocolate or furniture. The Commission stressed that the products in question are the main drivers of deforestation.
The EC reminded that it proposed the move 12 months ago and noted that it will tackle deforestation irrespective of whether it is illegal or not.
Companies that place products on the EU market will have to trace the goods to the areas where they were made and prove to authorities that deforestation was not part of the supply chain.
EC to update the list regularly
The body stressed that EU member states will have to introduce penalties for violation of new rules to force companies into compliance and added that it will update and review the list of targeted products regularly.
The Commission will assess deforestation risks in countries and regions, which will help the body to fight against deforestation outside the EU. The body stressed that it will pay “particular attention to the situation of local communities and indigenous people.”
According to the Commission, the move will “help secure the livelihoods of millions of people, including indigenous peoples and local communities across the world, who rely heavily of forest ecosystems.”
The EU Parliament and Council still have to adopt the new rules before they can come into effect. After adoption, companies will have 18 months to align their operation with the new Regulation.
