European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is poised to address the enforcement deadlock surrounding the EU’s new anti-deforestation regulation. During a recent meeting with the European People’s Party (EPP), von der Leyen indicated that she might propose a way forward in the coming days, as reported by Euractiv. EPP agriculture spokesperson Herbert Dorfmann noted that the proposed solutions could include either a postponement of the regulation or an alternative temporary measure.

The anti-deforestation law aims to ensure that products imported into the EU—such as cocoa, livestock, coffee, and soy—are sourced from land free of deforestation. Companies will be required to provide geolocation data to verify compliance. However, the timeline for enforcement has raised concerns among various stakeholders, including members of the Socialists, Greens, and Renew groups. These parties have called for the immediate release of long-delayed guidelines to assist companies in preparing for compliance, Euractiv reports.

Pascal Canfin, a Renew MEP, warned that postponing the regulation could create a precedent that undermines other Green Deal initiatives. He cautioned that such a delay would be detrimental to the EU's credibility on the global stage. Canfin emphasized the urgency of releasing the necessary guidelines, which have reportedly been ready for months but remain stalled, according to Euractiv.

As the situation unfolds, the main question remains how von der Leyen will navigate the regulation’s enforcement, which officially began in June 2023. The compliance deadline is currently set for December 30, 2024, for most businesses, with a later date for smaller companies. Any changes to this timeline will require careful consideration and legislative approval, which can be a lengthy process.

Another option for von der Leyen is to employ an urgent procedure to fast-track any necessary changes. This method could allow her to bypass standard committee approval and present the proposal directly to the parliamentary plenary, a tactic successfully used earlier this year for adjustments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The evolving landscape of the EU's anti-deforestation efforts, as highlighted by Euractiv, reflects the complexities of balancing regulatory compliance with the needs of various stakeholders.