On 14 November, the European Parliament endorsed  the European Commission’s proposal to delay the application of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation by one year. The Parliament also proposed the creation of a new “no risk” category for countries with stable or increasing forest area development. The Parliament adopted the proposal to delay the regulation by one year with 371 votes in favour and 240 votes against. Now, both parliament and EU countries must agree on a final version of the postponement proposal before the 30 December 2024.

• Parliament also adopted other amendments proposed by the political groups, including the creation of a new category of countries posing “no risk” on deforestation in addition to the existing three categories of “low”, “standard” and “high” risk. Countries classified as “no risk”, defined as countries with stable or increasing forest area development, would face significantly less stringent requirements as there is a negligible or non-existent risk of deforestation.
• The Commission will have to finalise a country benchmarking system by 30 June 2025.
• Next steps: Parliament decided to refer this file back to committee for interinstitutional negotiations. In order for these changes to enter into force, the agreed text will have to be endorsed by both Council and Parliament and published in the EU Official Journal.