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The EU’s consumption of agro-commodities contributes to the region’s large impact on climate and biodiversity, especially through deforestation and conversion of ecosystems. Yesterday's proposal by the Commission, if fully supported by the Council of the EU and European Parliament, willÌýtighten controls on the supply chains of beef,Ìýleather,Ìýpalm oil, soy,Ìýwood, cocoa, and coffeeÌýthrough new regulatory measures.  Ìý

‘Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ applauds the far-reaching legislation which can have a positive impact on the ground for forests. However, the initial proposal has overlooked other vulnerable ecosystems which are important for biodiversity and climate, such as savannahs, wetlands, peatlands and biodiversity rich grasslands,’ said Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Head of Policy and Programme at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Europe. ‘Two years after the Regulation enters into force, the Commission plans to reassess whether to include these ecosystems. It is important to not only conserve forests, but all threatened ecosystems as soon as possible.’Ìý

The regulation also makes it mandatory for certain commodities and related products placed on the EU market to beÌýproduced deforestation-free and according to the law in producing countries.Ìý

‘Yesterday’s proposal gives a clear responsibility to traders and operators to ensure forest protection and legality in EU value chains, an important step. However, the Regulation could betterÌýrecogniseÌýthe value of robust existing tools for verification within due diligence, which can also address important social risks,’ saidÌýHeleenÌývan denÌýHombergh, Senior AdvisorÌýAgro-commodities, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ÌýNational Committee of Netherlands.Ìý‘Last but not least, support to conversion-free responsible production, especially in risk landscapes, will be key to avoid pushing deforestation to other less demanding markets, and have genuine conservation impact on the ground’.Ìý

Also inÌýyesterday’s package of announcements was the release of aÌýnewÌýEUÌýSoil Strategy which aims to protect and restore Europe’s soils,ÌýanÌýoften forgottenÌýcomponentÌýof ecosystems.ÌýOne of the key announcements in the strategy was a new legislative proposal on soil healthÌýdueÌýin 2023. This proposalÌýwillÌýintroduceÌýlegally binding targets on theÌýdrainage of wetlands and organic soils,ÌýpeatlandsÌýrestorationÌýandÌýcarbon farming,Ìýamong others.Ìý

The Strategy alsoÌýmentions a second legislative proposal - the upcomingÌýlegislative framework for an EU sustainable food system.ÌýConsidering the lack of EU legislation and systematic monitoringÌýhas hinderedÌýprogress in soil protection^[1], theÌýlegislationsÌýwillÌýbeÌýan important step toÌýensure soil health across Europe.Ìý

The Council of the EU and European Parliament will haveÌýtheir say over the coming months. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ hopes that bothÌýthe deforestation legislationÌýand the Soil Strategy will be fully supportedÌýby the Institutions and all stakeholders.ÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ÌýisÌýready to provide our expertise and facilitate essential open dialogues amongst stakeholders to ensure real impact on the ground that benefits the planet and people alike.Ìý

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For further information, contact Edel Shanahan, Policy and Communications Officer, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ EuropeÌý

[1] European Commission (2012)