From 2024, products such as coffee, wood and palm oil may only be sold in the EU if no forests have been damaged or cut down after 2020. The rules also apply to processed products such as chocolate, printed paper or furniture. Those who do not comply with the regulations should expect high fines of at least four percent of annual turnover in the EU.
According to a statement from the EU countries, the EU countries passed a corresponding law that they had previously negotiated with the European Parliament. This should significantly reduce rainforest deforestation.
According to information from the EU Parliament, ten percent of deforestation between 1990 and 2020 can be attributed to consumer consumption in the EU. The EU states said: “The main cause of global deforestation and forest degradation is the expansion of agricultural land.”
“Milestone” reached
Specifically, in the future, companies will have to submit a due diligence statement stating that no forest has been felled or damaged for their product after December 31, 2020. Development Cooperation Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) called the law a milestone. She went on to say: “We in Europe also contribute to the deforestation of forests in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia with our consumption.” Small farmers in particular are supported to produce without deforestation and to prove this.
It carries heavy penalties
Those who do not comply with the regulations should expect high fines of at least four percent of annual turnover in the EU. The rules also apply to processed products such as chocolate, printed paper or furniture. The environmental organization WWF is now demanding that inspection authorities in Germany, such as customs, be significantly strengthened and that violations of the rules be punished with dissuasive penalties.
Source: Krone
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