EU Delays Anti-Deforestation Law Again, Fuelling Industry–Green Tensions

Kenya, January 08 2026 - The European Union’s landmark anti deforestation law, designed to prevent products linked to forest loss from entering the EU market, has been pushed back for a second time amid political wrangling, technical hurdles and industry pressure, raising fresh concerns about global efforts to protect forests and slow climate change.

Originally adopted in 2023 and hailed as a major step in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has repeatedly faced delays as member states, companies and lawmakers weigh up its economic and administrative impact against its environmental goals.

EU countries officially approved a one year postponement of the anti deforestation law after intense pushback from industry and concerns the IT systems needed to enforce the law were not ready in time. Under the revised timeline: The law’s application is now expected to begin on 30 December 2026 for most operators and traders. And, Smaller and micro enterprises will get an additional six month grace period, with obligations starting from 30 June 2027.

Under this revision, the regulation’s due diligence and traceability requirements remain at the core, companies will still need to demonstrate that products such as cattle, soy, palm oil, timber, cocoa, coffee and rubber have not contributed to deforestation but administrative burdens are eased and compliance timelines extended.

The EU Commission, Council and Parliament agreed the postponement in response to a combination of technical and political challenges: Implementation systems are not fully operational. Key tools for submitting due diligence statements, including specialised IT platforms, are not yet ready, making full compliance difficult for businesses and authorities alike.

Industry groups pushed back hard. Traders, farmers and manufacturers argued the original timelines were unrealistic, particularly for small and medium enterprises with limited resources to meet complex traceability and reporting requirements.

Political negotiations and simplification measures. Lawmakers voted to simplify certain provisions while extending deadlines, aiming to give companies more time to adapt without compromising longterm goals. Supporters of the delay argue it will help ensure the EU has a strong legal and technical foundation for enforcement when the law finally takes effect. Opponents say it weakens urgency and could delay measurable progress on global deforestation at a time when forests are under increasing threat.