MEPs on Tuesday stiffened language in a text aimed at curbing imports of goods linked to deforestation by widening its scope to include rubber and maize.

The decision, voted 453 in favour and 57 against, fixes the European Parliament's stance ahead of negotiations that will take place with EU member states over "imported deforestation".

The EU says European consumers account for 16 percent of global deforestation by importing goods from outside the bloc derived from land stripped of trees and vegetation to make way for more lucrative production.

To limit that impact, the European Commission in November proposed banning six products -- cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, soya and wood -- if they come from land that was deforested after December 2020.

EU environment ministers in June backed the overall thrust of the proposal.

But the MEPs voted to go further, by adding pigmeat, sheep and goats, poultry, maize, rubber, charcoal and printed paper products to the list.

They also want it applied to land deforested from December 2019.

And they back subjecting financial institutions to heightened requirements to ensure their activities don't contribute to deforestation.

The environmental lobbying organisation WWF hailed the parliament's move, saying it sends "a strong signal towards EU member states".

In a statement, it noted that by expanding the proposed law's application beyond forests to also include bushland, shrubland and other wooded land, large parts of Brazil's Cerrado -- a vast tropical savannah -- would also be covered.

Related Links
Forestry News - Global and Local News, Science and Application

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Indonesia, Norway ink deal to reward rainforest protection
Jakarta (AFP) Sept 12, 2022
Indonesia and Norway signed a deal Monday to reward deforestation reduction months after the collapse of a similar $1-billion agreement that was part of a UN-backed global initiative criticised for its ineffectiveness. Protecting trees is key to meeting climate goals but environmentalists blame Indonesia - home to the world's third-largest rainforest area - for a deforestation free-for-all by allowing companies to clear land for plantations. Jakarta has made some progress by reducing the rate ... read more