The Albanese Labor Government welcomes the proposal by the European Commission to delay the implementation of the European Union's Deforestation Regulation.
The EU introduced its Deforestation Regulation to limit the EU market's impact on global deforestation, forest degradation and biodiversity loss. The Regulation was scheduled to be implemented from 30 December 2024.
The Australian Government is committed to tackling global deforestation.
However, the EU Deforestation Regulation imposes complex due diligence requirements that create technical barriers for a range of Australian agricultural products. The Regulation has the potential to affect around $234 million in Australian exports.
The Australian Government has actively engaged with the EU at all levels on the development of the Regulation, including seeking a delay of implementation until all of the regulation's requirements are fully understood by traders.
It is welcome news that the European Commission has responded to these concerns, and the important advocacy of Australia's agriculture industry, with the announcement of the proposed 12-month delay.
A delay in implementation of the Regulation will provide an opportunity to further work with the EU to ensure the measure does not impose requirements that create unnecessary barriers to Australian exports.
We will continue advocating for our world-class agricultural products and work closely with State and Territory governments to support the sustainable management of our valuable forests.
