Regulation aims to minimize the EU's contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation and to reduce EU's share of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss.
The EU deforestation regulation will enter into force on Jun. 29, 2023.
After entry into force, a transitional period of 18 months will begin, at the end of which regulation will apply; for small and micro enterprises, transition period is 24 months.
In addition, wood products are subject to a transition period of 18-54 months, depending on when the products are produced.
EC Guidelines
During the transition period, the EC will publish guidelines on the implementation.
The actual EC guidelines will not be published until next autumn at the earliest.
In the meantime, EC will also publish answers to the most frequently asked questions.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry provides information on national policies.
Deforestation is said to occur when forests are permanently cleared for agricultural use and products listed in the regulation are produced in area after the clearing.
Finnish Beef and Wood
Of the products produced in Finland, the decree applies to beef and wood.
According to the interpretation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the EU deforestation regulation does not, as a rule, prevent conclusion of new environmental management agreements for forest pastures and open natural pastures.
The Ministry recommends further delaying new investments in cattle and dairy farms.
Oct. 2024 Proposed Delay
On Oct. 3, 2024, FIN GVT said EU CMSN proposed to postponing EUDR by one year.
Follows, EC Oct. 2024 proposed extra 12 months of phasing-in time, see #228608.
If approved application of key parts of the EUDR would start on Dec. 30, 2025.
The application for micro and small businesses would start six months later, i.e. on June 30, 2026, with the exception of the products of the current timber regulation.
In addition, EU CMSN had published the long-awaited implementation guidelines.
