EU environment ministers back anti-deforestation draft

Brussels – European Union environment ministers have agreed their position on the draft EU anti-deforestation law, which will see the imports of certain commodities into the region restricted.

The proposed regulation is aimed at ensuring that products derived from certain commodities including coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soya, beef and wood, which are placed on the EU market or exported from the EU, have not caused deforestation or forest degradation during their production.

The European Parliament is expected to adopt its position in the plenary session of 12 September.

As reported earlier by ERJ, the proposed regulation was the centre of a lobbying campaign by environmentalist group Global Witness, which insisted that natural rubber should be included in the list.