Area
European Union
Commodity Group
Oilseeds, oils and meals
Commodity
Grains, oilseeds/oils/meals, livestock products, paper
Date
01/07/2019
Policy Category
Other
Policy Instrument
Environmental policy
Description
Set out a plan of action aimed at contributing to the protection and rehabilitation of the worlds forests, asserting that demand for food, feed, biofuel, timber and other goods and hence EU imports of commodities such as grains, oilseeds, vegetable oils, beef or paper are among the main drivers of global deforestation. The plan aims to i) reduce the EUs consumption footprint on land; ii) encourage the consumption of products from deforestation-free supply chains; and iii) enhance the availability of information on forests and commodity supply chains. Measures envisaged include the search for means to strengthen certification schemes for deforestation-free products and actions to minimize the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with commodity imports.
Notes
The European Commission released a communication setting out a plan of action aimed at contributing to the protection and rehabilitation of the worlds forests. The document identifies demand for food, feed, biofuel, timber and other goods and hence EU imports of commodities such as grains, oilseeds, vegetable oils, beef or paper as a main driver of global deforestation. Consequently, the approach set out by the Commission includes the following commodity-related objectives: i) reducing the EU consumption footprint on land; ii) encouraging the consumption of products from deforestation-free supply chains; and iii) enhancing the availability of and access to information on forests and commodity supply chains. In particular, the Commission committed to search for means to strengthen certification schemes for deforestation-free products, and to consider possible demand-side legislative measures and other incentives to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with the blocs commodity imports. Civil society groups welcomed the initiative and called on the Commission to back it up with actionable commitments, including specifically targeted investments.
