Eu Parliament Gives Final Approval Deforestation Law 2024 12 17
Reuters5 days
EU Delays Anti-Deforestation Law Until 2025
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Above: Lawmakers sit in the plenary chamber of the European Parliament on the second day of the December plenary session on Dec. 17, 2024, in Strasbourg, France. Image copyright: Philipp von Ditfurth/Contributor/picture alliance via Getty Images
The Facts
By a vote of 546 in favor, 97 against, and seven abstentions, the European Parliament on Tuesday approved a one-year delay for implementing the EU's anti-deforestation law, pushing the effective date to Dec. 30, 2025.
The legislation will ban imports of various products including beef, coffee, cocoa, soy, timber, palm oil, rubber, and paper products if they were produced on land that was deforested post-December 2020.
The Spin
Left narrative
This delay is unfortunate as it allows another year of immense deforestation that will result in significant carbon emissions. However, the bill's eventual passage is a silver lining — promising future protection for critical forests and support for climate stability. With the help of politicians and business leaders, fringe opposition groups were fortunately unable to stop this law from taking effect a year from now.
Right narrative
The EU's deforestation law contradicts global forestation data, which shows a decline in deforestation rates and an increase in reforestation, particularly in developed countries. This regulation imposes unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on European businesses, raising the cost of goods due to stringent supply chain requirements. This results in shortages and higher consumer prices without significantly impacting global forest cover.
