Drug dealers party: ECLAC warns that European “anti-deforestation” regulations may end up boosting the production of carbon

A report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has expressed concerns that the European Union's (EU) anti-deforestation regulation 1115, effective from January 1, 2025, could inadvertently encourage the cultivation of illicit crops. The regulation prevents the entry of agricultural products from areas deforested after December 31, 2020, into EU territories. However, the report highlights that the regulation's georeferenced traceability demands might surpass the technological, financial, and institutional capabilities of Latin American countries. Furthermore, the lack of clarity around the regulation's operation could result in Latin American producers either diverting their exports to markets with less stringent environmental standards or engaging in illicit crop activities, especially with coca. In 2022, Latin America exported goods subject to the regulation to the EU for a value of 27 billion dollars, with Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia being the top exporters.