Deforestation law: EU governments reject chaotic amendments sought by MEPs

Brussels, 20 November 2024 – In response to today’s announcement that EU governments have rejected a set of amendments that the European Parliament voted last week to make to the EU deforestation law, Greenpeace EU forest policy director Sébastien Risso said:

“EU governments have just taken a sensible position against the chaotic amendments sought by the European Parliament to the deforestation law. Conservative and far-right MEPs tried to carve out loopholes bigger than the Amazon rainforest at this late, late stage, and it cannot be tolerated. Greenpeace is now urging governments to stick firmly to today’s position in the upcoming negotiations.

“We are facing a crucial fight to stop climate change and save life on this planet. Protecting forests is a key part of that. Make no mistake: a one-year delay, as now seems likely, would have devastating consequences for the environment as the EU will continue to fuel global deforestation through its consumption for another 12 months.

“It’s now critical to work to preserve a strong deforestation law and ensure that everything is in place for effective enforcement when the date of application kicks in, so we can begin to tackle the role of European consumption in global forest destruction. People in Europe don’t want deforestation in their shopping basket, and they don’t want opportunist politicians playing games with their future.”