The European Union reached a tentative deal to postpone its landmark law to tackle deforestation until the end of next year, giving global supply chains of commodities from coffee to beef more time to adapt. An agreement reached with lawmakers on Tuesday brings a turbulent few months for one of the EU’s most far-reaching environmental plans close to an end. The law was met with widespread pushback from agricultural giants like Brazil and Indonesia, as well as EU countries such as Austria and Finland. “We successfully postponed the implementation of the deforestation law by one year, giving European businesses, foresters and farmers the planning security they need, while protecting them from excessive bureaucracy,” said Christine Schneider, lead negotiator representing the European Parliament in the talks.
Related coverage in:
- Euronews: EU anti-deforestation law delay: centre-right cries victory, NGOs cry foul
- Deutsche Welle: EU agrees to delay deforestation law but won’t water it down
- The Associated Press: EU pushes back deforestation law by a year after outcry