The forest clearance decree implementation was chaotic

The implementation of the EU deforestation regulation, which came into effect last summer, has been a chaotic process. The regulation was slated to begin implementation on December 30th of this year, but the Commission has not provided member countries with crucial instructions necessary for compliance. These instructions were originally expected to be issued last fall.

Despite the regulation being approved by EU institutions last summer, the lack of clear instructions has caused confusion and uncertainty among member countries. The regulation aims to ensure that products consumed in the EU do not contribute to deforestation globally. It covers products such as soy, oil palm, coffee, cocoa, rubber, cattle, and wood, as well as any products containing them.

In Finland, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry recently initiated the process of drafting regulations related to the deforestation regulation. However, there are significant challenges in determining the details of implementation, such as the extent of forest clearing allowed without being considered deforestation. This uncertainty has stalled agricultural investments across the EU.

Questions also remain about which EU countries will be classified as low-risk in terms of deforestation, leading to varying levels of regulation. The upcoming EU elections may impact the implementation of the regulation, but the outlook is uncertain.

Furthermore, industry stakeholders believe that companies will need additional time after receiving instructions to meet the technical requirements outlined in the regulation. Some changes may even require new regulatory decisions. Despite calls from some EU countries to postpone implementation until further specifics are clarified, the Commission maintains that the regulation is legally binding.

The road to implementing the EU deforestation regulation remains bumpy, with challenges surrounding guidelines, technical requirements, and regulatory decisions. The impact of the upcoming EU elections on the regulation’s fate adds another layer of complexity to an already confusing situation.