Positive effect on climate will start only from the year 2020
Vienna/Berlin/Bern. – Donau Soja welcomes the decision of the EU Parliament to adopt the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) yesterday. The new legislation obliges companies to prove from the end of 2024 that no new deforestation has taken place after the 2020 cut-off date for products traded on the EU market. As a long-standing pioneer in sustainable agriculture, Donau Soja already has a traceability system from farm to fork and 2008 as the cut-off date for deforestation and land conversion, which goes far beyond the new requirements.
“We are pleased with this important step by the EU for the protection of forests worldwide”, said Dagmar Gollan, Executive Director of Donau Soja Association. “However, the legislation does not go far enough on some points and needs to be improved.” In particular, more important ecosystems need to be protected from land conversion and incentive schemes for stricter requirements on issues such as pesticides and earlier cut-off dates than 2020 need to be supported. “We believe that the EU has an opportunity here to go further and fully consider the impact of agriculture on the environment. With this new Regulation a positive effect on the climate can be realised. But with this late cut-off date, the regulation does not contribute to achieve CO2 reduction targets in supply chains and may jeopardize agreements with earlier cut-off dates such as the Amazon Soy Moratorium”, said Gollan.
Donau Soja remains committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and ecosystem conservation and will continue to work with businesses and governments to have a positive impact on the environment and society.
About Donau Soja
Donau Soja is a non-profit, independent association who supports its partners and members in progressing change to address social, environmental, and economic challenges in soya, legumes and protein production and consumption. This will increase efficiency, fairness and sustainability in European food and feed protein value chains.
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