Source: European Parliament
1. The regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR)[1] was subject to an open public consultation which gathered more than 1.2 million responses, many from partner countries. Since EUDR’s entry into force, the Commission has collaborated with partners and rolled out significant support, for instance via the Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation Free Supply Chains. The Commission published guidance documents on 2 October 2024[2] after the conclusion of internal discussions, which integrated the answers to questions received until the last moment throughout the consultation process.
2. The Commission, both at the level of cabinets and services, are in permanent contact with Members of the European Parliament and with Member States. Strengthening the partnership between the Commission and the European Parliament is an important principle that was explicitly repeated in the Political Guidelines[3]. In its contacts with Members of the European Parliament, the Commission is committed to a balanced and fair approach, regardless of political parties.
3. The targeted amendment[4] is a response to support stakeholders, Member States and third countries in their preparations for EUDR implementation. It was never a condition for finalising trade agreements with Indonesia and Mercosur. In both agreements, the EU is working to include provisions in support of the fight against deforestation. While negotiations with Indonesia are not yet finalised, the impact on deforestation of the recently finalised Mercosur agreement is expected to be positive in terms of reduction of deforestation, due to the clear commitments undertaken by the parties and bearing in mind that EUDR prohibits the placing on the EU market of commodities from deforested areas.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206-247.
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_5009
- [3] Adopted in July 2024: https://commission.europa.eu/about/commission-2024-2029_en
- [4] Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards provisions relation to the date of application, COM(2024) 452 final/2.