EU Eases Reporting Rules on Imports of Goods Linked to Deforestation
The European Commission has amended the EU law aimed at combating deforestation, which will come into effect in December. Instead of mandatory annual reporting for each batch of goods, a simplified mechanism for comprehensive verification has now been introduced in response to industry requests.
This is reported by AgroReview
The new law prohibits the import of goods such as soy, beef, cocoa, and palm oil, the production of which is associated with the destruction of forest areas. Initially, the implementation of this legislation was postponed for a year due to protests from industrial companies and trading partners. By the end of June, the EU plans to classify countries by risk level (high, standard, and low), which will determine the level of import requirements.
Objectives and Implications of Changes in EU Legislation
The EU Commissioner for the Environment, Jessica Roswall, noted that the main objective of the new measures is to reduce the administrative burden on businesses while maintaining the regulatory goals of forest conservation. She emphasized: “We aim to make the monitoring process more efficient and less burdensome for enterprises.”
Despite calls from certain countries and sectors, including the United States, for further simplification of the rules, Brussels decided not to make additional changes to the bill, stressing the importance of preserving environmental objectives.
Market Participants’ Outrage and Control Prospects
Some industry participants have expressed concern that the relaxation of reporting requirements may reduce the effectiveness of the law. Anthony Fontaine, director of the VOICE Network, believes that the shift to annual reporting could negatively impact compliance monitoring and enforcement.
Amid these changes, an active discussion continues regarding the future development of the grain and oilseed market in Ukraine and the Black Sea region. More details about the prospects and challenges of this sector will be available at the 23rd International BLACK SEA GRAIN.KYIV Conference, which will take place on April 24 in Kyiv.
We invite all interested parties to join the strategic discussions and network with industry leaders!