The European Commission\u2019s proposal to delay the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by another year has been welcomed by the German and Austrian timber industries. Industry representatives see the postponement as a necessary opportunity to make the regulation practically implementable and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
The German Timber Industry Association (DeSH) emphasized that the delay was long overdue. In its current form, the EUDR is neither feasible nor effective in achieving its goals of global forest protection. \u201cNow it is essential to use this time to fundamentally redesign the EUDR, reduce bureaucracy in countries without deforestation, and protect the competitiveness of our industry in a globally challenging environment. This will allow European forestry and timber sectors to continue contributing strongly to climate protection and value creation in Europe,\u201d said DeSH President Dr. Stephan Lang.<\/p>\n
Austria\u2019s timber industry also welcomed the postponement. Dr. Erlfried Taurer, Chairman of the Austrian Timber Industry Association, noted, \u201cFinally, common sense prevails in Brussels \u2013 the Commission recognizes that the regulation is not workable. After more than two years of intensive work, no practical implementation model exists. Attempts to improve the regulation through accompanying documents have proven ineffective and fail to create legal certainty.\u201d Taurer stressed that the EUDR should be fundamentally simplified or even abolished, calling for a noticeable reduction in bureaucracy to strengthen Europe\u2019s competitiveness.<\/p>\n
The Austrian industry supports the EUDR\u2019s environmental goal of combating global deforestation, but proposes practical alternatives. Taurer suggested the creation of a new \u201cinsignificant risk\u201d category for countries without deforestation risk \u2013 such as Austria \u2013 where existing EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) documentation would be sufficient. Risk-based controls instead of blanket monitoring would allow targeted oversight of regions, products, and actors where deforestation is actually a threat.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The European Commission\u2019s proposal to delay the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by another year has been welcomed by the German and Austrian timber industries. Industry representatives see the postponement as a necessary opportunity to make the regulation practically implementable and … Continue reading