The European Commission offers a six-month grace period for companies affected by the anti-deforestation directive.

The European Commission will propose on Tuesday to grant a six-month grace period for companies that need to comply with the anti-deforestation directive (EUDR), which comes into effect on December 30, 2024. This directive requires companies selling products such as soy, beef, coffee, and palm oil to demonstrate that their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation. Although an initial one-year delay was announced, the Commission decided to offer only a temporary exemption from penalties.

Additionally, regulations will be simplified for small farmers, and the changes must be approved by the Parliament and EU member states. This measure is welcomed by environmental activists, who fear that a prolonged delay could worsen global deforestation. Criticism has also been directed at the directive, which is considered too bureaucratic and punitive for European farmers.