The EU deforestation regulation, which was implemented last summer, has been a source of confusion and frustration since its inception. Despite being supposed to begin on December 30, member countries have not received the necessary instructions from the Commission yet. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure that products purchased and consumed within the EU do not contribute to global deforestation. This covers a range of products including soy, oil palm, coffee, cocoa, rubber, cattle, and wood.
In Finland, efforts to clarify the forest clearing law related to the regulation have been ongoing for some time now. However, there are still many unresolved issues surrounding how much forest can be cleared for agricultural or construction purposes without being considered deforestation. This uncertainty has caused many agricultural investments to be put on hold in various EU countries.
There have been calls for a delay in implementing the regulation until all necessary details are fully clarified. However, this is not something that the Commission is considering at present. Instead, they believe that companies in the food industry and trade sectors will need more time to meet technical requirements even after receiving instructions.
As EU elections loom on the horizon, it remains uncertain how this will impact the implementation of the regulation. Proponents of the regulation argue that guidelines alone will not be enough to ensure compliance with its objectives. The issue continues to be a contentious one within Europe as different countries take varying positions on how best to move forward with it.
Overall, it seems that despite good intentions and efforts by some stakeholders involved in this process, a confusing regulation may ultimately lead to an ineffective legislation if proper clarification is not provided promptly and thoroughly by those responsible for implementing it.
