Federal government under pressure: Euder shift endangers forest protection

Veröffentlicht:

Von:

The criticism of the planned displacement of the EU Ordinance for Delimment-Free Products (Eudr) is growing. Environmental associations and organizations such as WWF and DUH warn of the consequences for climate and biodiversity. Read why the implementation of the Eudr is urgently needed and what role Germany should play.
The criticism of the planned displacement of the EU Ordinance for Delimment-Free Products (Eudr) is growing. Environmental associations and organizations such as WWF and DUH warn of the consequences for climate and biodiversity. Read why the implementation of the Eudr is urgently needed and what role Germany should play. (Symbolbild/MB)

An outcry succeeds from the ranks of environmental and development organizations! The Federal Agricultural and Forestry Minister Cem Özdemir dares to postpone the start of application of the EU regulation for default-free products by half a year- and this is considered hot iron! This controversial claim, which is intended to start on July 1, 2025, receives approval from none other than Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. But the outrage is boiling: environmental associations warn of serious consequences!

A powerful alliance - consisting of German environmental aid (DUH), WWF, Robin Wood, Oroverde, Südwind and Inkota - loudly raises their voices against this shift. They warn that soy, cocoa, coffee and Co. as well as other goods that are associated with the destruction of nature continue to flow to the EU market. Such a step would not only punish the forests, but also the companies that prepare for the new regulations.

diverse voices against the U -turn

Sascha Müller-Kraenner, federal manager of the DUH, sums it up: "Germany seems to want to give up its role as a driving force of the EU regulation for the defense-free products. The reasoning of the Agricultural Minister for his turning point is not understandable." be. The Federal Government must now do everything possible to drive the Eudr!

Julian Smaluhn, spokesman for Robin Wood board, describes the claim as irresponsible. "To take a back now is irresponsible. Instead, the federal government has to bundle all the forces to implement the regulation against global deforestation in good time," that cannot be done quickly enough! Pressure on Brussels is required here to provide the necessary information promptly.

The regulation in the line of firing

Ulrich Malessa von Oroverde emphasizes: "The Eudr came into force in June 2023 and was assumed with broad support of the EU Parliament and the EU Council." A shift would not only lead to uncertainties in the company, but also question the global credibility of the democratic EU legislative process. The clock ticks!

Heike Vesper, director of the WWF, warns: "The EU decommissioning regulations are a real breakthrough in the fight against global forest destruction." Every hesitation harms the climate and slow down the efforts to biodiversity - and last but not least, there is a need for clear political framework in the economy!

Arndt von Massenbach from the Inkota network sums it up: "The deforestation regulations must be implemented without delays!"

Friedel Hütz-Adams from Südwind inevitably admits: “Development increases climate change, and climate change tightens the problems of the small farmers,“ as a dark example from the last cocoa harvest shows. Eudr is the key to keep local importers from continuing to benefit from massive deforestation. The voices of the critics become loud - the time for a decision is urged!