In the future, the import of many products into the EU will be banned if forests have been cleared for them. Because goods such as beef, cocoa, soybeans and wood make an important contribution to deforestation. Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU countries have agreed on a law to protect the Amazon and other forests. This must be guaranteed by a declaration of due diligence. Those who do not comply with the rules should expect fines.
The new rules also apply to goods that contain, are fed with or are made from the mentioned raw materials. Leather, chocolate and furniture are mentioned as examples. During the negotiations, MEPs maintained that the rules also covered rubber, charcoal and printed paper products, as the EU parliament announced. In two years time, it will be examined whether other goods are needed.
SPD MP Delara Burkhardt criticized that it was perfectly legal to clear the Amazon rainforest, sell the timber in the EU and keep livestock on the cleared land and offer the steaks in European supermarkets. “That will soon be over.”
Those who do not comply with the rules risk fines
The compromise still requires the approval of Parliament and EU member states. The new law will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU, with a transition period of 18 months for certain parts. Specifically, companies must provide a due diligence statement that goods sold on the EU market have not led to deforestation and forest degradation anywhere. The deadline for deforestation is December 31, 2020. Those who do not comply with the rules risk fines.
Source: Krone
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