Forests are being cut and degraded at an alarming rate, especially in the tropics, with the expansion of agricultural land causing almost 90% of forest reduction, according to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

A first-of-its-kind law called the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), was designed to take steps to counter this. The idea was that EU importers would have to prove that their supply chains for products such as coffee, chocolate, leather, paper, tires and furniture do not contribute to logging anywhere in the world. Otherwise, they would face fines of up to 4% of their turnover.

The legislation, which is part of the European Green Deal, was negotiated in detail over several years and adopted by the European Parliament with an overwhelming democratic mandate in December 2022. Heralded by proponents as a breakthrough in the global battle against forest loss, it came into force in June 2023 and was due to be implemented at the end of this year. But now the EU is considering delaying the rollout for another year.

Analysis reveals that in 2023, the world lost a some 37,000 square kilometers (14,000 square miles) of tropical forest, or an area nearly equivalent in size to Switzerland.

"We are facing a global emergency," said Anna Cavazzini, a member of the European Parliament for Germany's Green party. "I simply find it irresponsible to delay this law by another year in this situation."

A 12-month delay would........

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