Nineteen EU Nations Advocate for Simplification of Deforestation Law

Nineteen European Union member states have formally requested the European Commission to initiate a process for the 'simplification' and further postponement of the implementation timeline for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This appeal, articulated in a letter dated July 7, 2025, highlights the ongoing tensions between legislative aims for environmental protection and the perceived burdens placed on agricultural and forestry stakeholders.

The letter, signed by agriculture ministers from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden, argues that the obligations imposed by the EUDR are excessively onerous, particularly for member states with minimal deforestation risks. These ministers advocate for a coordinated and effective implementation of the EUDR, urging the European Commission to prioritize its inclusion in simplification plans designed to alleviate regulatory pressures.

The EUDR, which officially came into effect in June 2023, aims to mitigate the EU’s influence on global deforestation by regulating imports of commodities associated with deforestation risk. These include cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood. Following substantial pressure from various member states, the European Commission had previously delayed the regulation’s enforcement date to December 30, 2025, for large and medium-sized enterprises, and to June 30, 2026, for small businesses.

Critics from civil society have raised alarms regarding the motivations behind this recent call for simplification. Hannah Mowat, the campaigns coordinator at Fern, an organization focused on forest protection, expressed concern about the disconnection between political stances and on-the-ground realities in many EU countries. Mowat stated that competent authorities are prepared to implement the law, contradicting the ministers' claims that the EUDR imposes excessive burdens.

Further complicating the debate, the letter from the member states downplays the issue of forest degradation, asserting that tree cover in Europe is increasing while neglecting ongoing degradation challenges across the continent. Mowat emphasized that monoculture plantations, prevalent in countries like Germany and Austria, have suffered significant collapses due to disease and drought, underscoring the necessity for the EUDR to enforce scrutiny over forest product sourcing to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, a manager for forests at WWF Europe, echoed these concerns, indicating that the push for simplification could undermine one of the EU's key environmental regulations. She cautioned that while the ministers profess a commitment to halting deforestation, their actions may inadvertently facilitate increased rates of deforestation globally, exacerbating climate change impacts within the EU.

In response to the ministers' request, a spokesperson for the European Commission acknowledged the ongoing efforts to simplify regulatory frameworks but did not confirm receipt of the letter. This interaction highlights the complex interplay between member state interests and the overarching goals of the EU in combating climate change and promoting sustainable practices.

The implications of this request are profound, as they raise critical questions about the balance between economic interests and environmental stewardship in the EU’s legislative agenda. As discussions continue, the future of the EUDR hangs in the balance, with potential ramifications for both the environment and the agricultural sector across Europe.