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What happened
On November 26, 2025, the European Parliament voted to delay the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for another year, citing technical concerns. This amendment, which passed with a vote of 402 to 250, pushes the law's start date to December 30, 2026, with a grace period for small businesses until June 30, 2027. The EUDR aims to ban imports of goods like soy, beef, cocoa, and palm oil from areas deforested after 2020. Critics, including environmental NGOs, warn that the delay and proposed exemptions weaken the law significantly. Changes include removing printed books and newspapers from the law's scope and exempting small operators from low-risk countries. The proposed revisions will now enter informal negotiations before returning to the parliament for ratification, potentially leading to further amendments and legal uncertainty.
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Key insights
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1
Law faces significant delays
The EUDR's implementation has been postponed multiple times, raising concerns about its effectiveness.
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2
Exemptions weaken the law
New amendments introduce exemptions that could undermine the law's goals.
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3
Market uncertainty grows
Businesses express concerns over instability due to the ongoing delays and changes.
Takeaways
The EU's decision to delay the EUDR raises significant concerns about the future of antideforestation efforts, with critics warning that the law may become ineffective due to ongoing amendments and exemptions.
Topics
Politics & World Policy & Regulation Environment Climate Change Sustainability