Council advances with changes to Regulation on Deforestation

The Council has approved its negotiating mandate for a specific amendment to the EU Regulation on Deforestation. The goal is to simplify the application of existing rules and postpone their implementation, allowing operators, traders, and authorities to adequately prepare. Following concerns expressed by Member States and stakeholders regarding the preparation of businesses and public administrations, as well as technical issues related to the new information communication system, the Council: supports the specific simplification of the due diligence process proposed by the Commission and advocates for a one-year postponement of the application of the Regulation, until 30 December 2026, for all operators on equal terms, with an additional six months for micro and small enterprises; eliminates the "tolerance period" initially proposed by the Commission for large and medium-sized enterprises, opting instead for a clear extension of the application date for all operators, regardless ...