In a move hailed a “major breakthrough for forests”, the EU has approved legislation banning goods linked to deforestation.
Businesses will have to show that their products have not contributed to tree loss if they want to sell them in the bloc. The new law will apply to companies selling soy, beef, palm oil, wood, rubber, cocoa and coffee, plus some derived products like leather, chocolate and furniture. It is expected to be rubber stamped next year.
“This is a major breakthrough for forests, and for the people who stood up to protect them,” said Greenpeace’s John Hyland. “This law will make some chainsaws fall silent and stop companies profiting from deforestation.”
However, Greenpeace criticised the EU nations for adding loopholes for their own logging industries, and not doing enough to protect the rights of Indigenous groups, who “pay with their blood to defend nature”. Business groups said the measures could stymie trade.
Image: Ricardo Pereira
