"European Parliament's centrist majority splits over delayed deforestation rules", 21 November 2025

...The centrist majority in the European Parliament is once again divided over an environmental issue.

The Parliament is set to vote next Wednesday on the revision of the EU regulation on deforestation-free products, which prohibits the importation of commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood if their production has caused deforestation or forest degradation...

The EU regulation on deforestation-free products was initially set to enter into force on 30 December 2024, but three months earlier, the Commission proposed a 12-month postponement. That was approved by the Council and the European Parliament, and thus postponing the regulation's application to the end of this year.

It was then delayed for a second time by the European Commission, which cited technical issues in the IT system set up to deal with due diligence statements submitted by affected businesses. The Council and the Parliament now have to agree on this further postponement.

The Council’s position was approved by member states on Wednesday, and requests a one-year postponement of the application, until 30 December 2026, with an extra six-month cushion for micro and small operators...

MEPs in favour of the regulatory update have rejected the proposal.

She still hopes for an agreement with the EPP ahead of the vote but stresses that the regulation should come into force as soon as possible, at least for big companies.