Introduction
The UK government has announced that it will advance long-delayed regulations on commodities linked to deforestation. On June 23, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a press release promising to "take forward new rules" that will force companies in Great Britain to carry out due diligence on the products they sell.
Under the proposals, UK businesses that trade in commodities sourced from rainforests such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, and rubber will need to check that their supply chains are not contributing to illegal deforestation. These rules have been anticipated since the passage of the UK’s Environment Act in 2021.
Background and Implications
"Schedule 17" of the Act established a legal basis for strict rules covering forest risk commodities, but the UK government has yet to issue those rules or submit them to Parliament. The slow implementation of Schedule 17 has drawn the ire of environmental groups and their allies.
In a press release, UK-based NGO Forest Coalition welcomed the latest announcement. "In our view, the delay has been unacceptable because the UK imports deforestation-tainted commodities," said Cassie Dummett, the group’s coordinator, in a phone interview with Mongabay. "That means members of the public are buying deforestation in the food they buy, unwittingly."
Comparison with the European Union’s Regulation
The UK government said the regulation will closely mirror the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which, despite repeated delays, is set to take effect at the end of 2026. Both rules will cover a similar set of commodities, including cattle, cocoa, palm oil, rubber, and others.
Conclusion
The advancement in deforestation rules in the UK is a step in the right direction, but effective implementation and enforcement will be crucial for the success of these measures. The international community must continue to pressure for concrete actions against deforestation and environmental degradation.
Source / Reference: Mongabay