Ahead of next week’s decisive European Parliament vote on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the S&D Group expresses disappointment at the European People’s Party (EPP) walking away from a centrist compromise aimed at safeguarding the timely implementation of the landmark law*.

The EPP must return to the negotiating table with the pro-European political groups.

Delara Burkhardt, S&D Group's lead negotiator on the EU Deforestation Regulation, said:

"To leverage the position of the European Parliament, the S&D Group and Renew Europe Group took the first steps to propose a deal of the political centre to the EPP, even before the Council agreed on its mandate. We tried until the last minute to get a deal in the political centre.

"Unfortunately, the EPP at this stage was not willing to accept an offer for a centrist compromise. We will table our compromise proposal and remain available to continue the negotiations with the EPP and hope for an agreement ahead of next week’s plenary vote.

"Our main goal is to have legal certainty for businesses and national authorities. With the EPP’s insistence on an early review, the EU Deforestation Regulation will hang in limbo, and we will have to discuss the regulation’s postponement once again next year.

"The Council mandate is fundamentally flawed and unacceptable. An early review before the EUDR even enters into application will again lead to a reopening and postponement of the regulation. It’s a stop-the-clock through the back door. For us, it was important that the EUDR starts running as soon as possible, at least for big companies, without any reviews that would put the regulation’s application in doubt. That’s why we proposed an entry into application for big companies and a review focused on simplification for small and micro companies in low-risk countries in June 2026. For smaller companies, the rules would apply as of June 2027."

Note to editors:

*The EU Deforestation Regulation, adopted in 2023, aims to ensure that key commodities such as soy, beef, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, wood and rubber placed on the EU market do not contribute to global deforestation or forest degradation. It is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal and a crucial step in protecting nature and biodiversity worldwide.