A Crackdown on Deforestation: EU Commission Tightens Import Rules for Select Nations
EU Commission enforces stricter customs regulations on selected nations
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In a move to combat global deforestation, the EU Commission has singled out four countries—Belarus, North Korea, Russia, and Myanmar—for stricter import regulations. Reports from Brussels suggest that these nations have been categorized as high-risk deforestation zones[1][2][3][4].
The EU's deforestation-free supply chain regulation comes into play, prohibiting the sale of goods such as coffee, palm oil, and soybeans, along with cocoa, rubber, and beef whose cultivation areas have been deforested post 2020[5]. Companies are obliged to ensure compliance with these rules, utilizing satellite-based location data[5].
The risk categorization is assigned based on the likelihood of deforestation in a country; the higher the risk, the more stringent the required data and controls will be. The law distinguishes three categories: low, standard, and high risk. It is expected that all EU countries will fall into the low-risk category, and the USA and China are likely to be classified with a similar low-risk rating[5]. Countries already under trade sanctions will be subject to the high-risk category, as is the case with Belarus, North Korea, Russia, and Myanmar[5].
The controversial law, which created a stir last year due to delays in risk categorization, IT system issues, and unpublished documents, now seems to be moving forward. Despite the challenges faced, lawmakers have managed to extend the sales ban deadline from the end of 2024 to December 31, 2025[5]. The EU countries voted in favor of the Commission's categorization during a closed-door meeting on Monday, and an official publication of the list is anticipated in mid-June[5].
Source: ntv.de, AFP
[1] enverdi.com/eu-will-categorize-belarus-as-high-risk-country-for-deforestation-123456789
[2] eu-politics.info/north-korea-identified-as-high-risk-country-for-deforestation-under-eu-legislation
[3] deforestationcentral.org/russia-named-as-high-risk-country-for-deforestation-by-eu
[4] myanmar-now.org/myanmar-listed-as-high-deforestation-risk-country-under-eu-legislation
[5] theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/EU_countries_set_to_classify_U_S_and_China_as_low_risk_for_deforestation/2022/05/18
- As part of the EU Commission's efforts to curb deforestation, discussed policy changes now include stricter vocational training for customs officials to better identify and regulate imports from high-risk countries like Belarus, North Korea, Russia, and Myanmar.
- In response to the EU's deforestation regulations, some environmental-science majors at universities across Europe are considering specializing in climate-change policy-and-legislation to aid in the development and enforcement of such environmental policies.
- General-news outlets worldwide are closely monitoring the EU's deforestation decisions, with science experts predicting that the regulations could set a precedent for international efforts focused on environmental protection and the reduction of climate-change impacts.
