EU lawmakers exposed as divided in call for deforestation law delay

European Union lawmakers are divided over a possible delay to a ban on imports of goods linked to deforestation, increasing pressure on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is seeking support for a second term.

The EU deforestation law will require companies and traders of EU meat, coffee, palm oil and other products to prove their supply chains do not cause deforestation. It is scheduled to take effect on December 30.

In a statement on Thursday, Peter Liese, the environment spokesman for the European People’s Party (EPP), the same party as the president, asked Brussels to delay and soften the legislation, which he called a “bureaucratic monster”.

“Many small producers around the world, and even small owners of EU forest land, cannot work under this text,” he said.

EU leaders are expected to back von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president on Thursday. But she still needs a majority in the European Parliament, which requires the support of not only the European People’s Party but also lawmakers who are pressuring her not to soften environmental policies.

A source in the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the second-largest political group in the House of Representatives after the EPP, said the group was “totally opposed” to delaying the deforestation law.

“This is a clear rejection of S&D. The commission is obliged to enforce the law,” he said.

The Greens are also against the idea. Von der Leyen needs their support to secure a comfortable majority.

The European Parliament approved the deforestation policy last year with an overwhelming majority: 552 in favor, 44 against, and 43 abstentions. But the law has been criticized by countries including the United States and palm oil producers in Malaysia and Indonesia.

EU climate envoy Tony Agosa said the bloc should support countries that are concerned about the impact the bloc’s green policies could have on their economies. He said the law “was there for a reason”.

“The EU is a big player: 10% of global deforestation is caused through the consumption of coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, timber, meat. You name it. It’s a problem and we don’t want to be part of it anymore,” he told Agosha this Thursday.