Straight Talkin' on EU's Strict Import Rules for Deforestation Hotspots
EU Commission Enacts Tougher Import Regulations for Specific Nations
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Here's the lowdown on EU's tougher import regulations: countries like Brazil and Indonesia have temporarily avoided the brunt of stricter import rules under this new law combating deforestation. But don't think that's a free pass, as the EU Commission is eyeing only four dodgy countries as having a "high risk" of deforestation - Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Myanmar. And if you're on this naughty list, you're in for some serious regulations, mate[1][2][3].
This EU law is all about cracking down on deforestation-linked commodities. Basically, we're talking about coffee, palm oil, soy, cocoa, rubber, and beef products. So, companies had better get their act together and ensure they're complying with these rules. They can use satellite data to pinpoint cultivation areas and adjust their controls accordingly, depending on a country's deforestation risk[1]. The rules divide countries into three categories: low, standard, or high risk.
Initially, all EU countries, the US, and China will be classified as low-risk, leaving Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Myanmar as the reluctant occupants of the high-risk category. Last year, this regulation sparked a fair bit of controversy due to issues with risk categorization, an IT system for businesses, and paperwork. Under external pressure from countries like Brazil, EU member states, and the money-hungry US, lawmakers pushed back the sales ban from the end of 2024 to December 31, 2025[2].
The EU countries are rumored to have approved the categorization behind closed doors during a vote on Monday. They're scheduled to announce the final list around mid-June[2].
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
[1] Advocacy for Sustainable Trade (AST) - European Commission publishes proposed ban on deforestation-linked goods in the EU. (2021, February 24). AST. https://ast.ngo/eu-commission-publishes-proposed-ban-on-deforestation-linked-goods-in-the-eu/
[2] Bull, S. (2021, January 21). EU delays controversial law on combating deforestation by two years. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/21/eu-delays-controversial-law-on-combating-deforestation-by-two-years
[3] Yurovsky, K. (2020, April 16). Can the EU pension funds and investors help end global deforestation? EURACTIV.com. https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture/news/can-the-eu-pension-funds-and-investors-help-end-global-deforestation/
- As the EU Commission aims to combat climate-change through environmental-science, they are implementing policy-and-legislation focused on curbing deforestation in high-risk countries like Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Myanmar.
- Under this law, it is essential for companies to adhere to vocational training in sustainable practices to ensure they are complying with the EU's strict import rules, particularly when dealing with commodities such as coffee, palm oil, soy, cocoa, rubber, and beef products.
- To keep up with the evolving policy-and-legislation in the political landscape, staying informed on general-news regarding EU's community policy towards deforestation hotspots is crucial for businesses, investors, and individuals concerned with vocational training in environmental-science and climate-change mitigation.
