The European Parliament’s decision to delay the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has prompted a mixed response across farming, political, and environmental sectors.

The one-year postponement, confirmed by 371 votes to 240 with 30 abstentions, shifts the start date for large companies to December 30, 2025, and for small enterprises to June 30, 2026. The EUDR, adopted in April 2023, aims to combat climate change and biodiversity loss by ensuring commodities like soya, coffee, cocoa, and beef imported into the EU are not linked to deforestation.

The delay, proposed by the European Commission in response to concerns from EU member states, non-EU countries, and the supply chain, was welcomed by farming bodies, including the UK's National Pig Association (NPA).

NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: "the most sensible option available," adding, “It has become increasingly clear the supply chain is simply not in a position to deliver the requirements of EUDR by the start of next year. This will allow a transitioned introduction and, therefore, time for the supply chain to adjust to the new conditions, the detail of which will require further clarification.”

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Wilson also stressed the importance of the UK aligning its own Forest Risk Commodities regulation timeline with the EU. “It is now important that the UK government adjusts the timetable for the similar UK Forest Risk Commodities regulation accordingly, so we are in step with the EU on this,” she said.

Despite the support from agricultural groups, the delay has faced criticism from environmental campaigners. Julia Christian, campaigner at the NGO Fern, called the introduction of a new 'no risk' category for certain countries 'a blatant case of green protectionism,' which she warned could anger producer countries outside the EU. 'This is particularly egregious,' she added, noting concerns that it might undermine the EUDR’s objectives.

The delay also comes amid political tensions in the European Parliament, with the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) advocating for amendments that would significantly weaken the regulation. These include extending the delay to two years, exempting traders from many reporting requirements, and introducing the 'no risk' category.

Former environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius criticized the EPP’s push. He said: “Backtracking on one of the biggest achievements of the previous Commission would damage the EU’s credibility at the COP29 talks and show we are not a reliable partner.”

Green MEP Anna Cavazzini expressed frustration over the amendments, warning they could lead to 'chaos' and contradict the EPP’s previous support for the law. “For me, it's one of the clearest laws that exist, because it will prohibit products from areas that have been recently deforested – with a clear deadline,” she said.

The EUDR was hailed as a landmark initiative, aiming to prevent deforestation caused by products consumed in Europe. While some companies, including Nestlé and Mars, support the regulation, they have called for more assistance to meet compliance deadlines. However, emerging countries like Brazil and Indonesia have criticised the regulation, calling it protectionist and warning it could exclude small-scale farmers from EU markets.

Environmental campaigners fear the delay could undermine global climate commitments, particularly as international leaders gather for talks at COP29. Meanwhile, the regulation’s postponement may give supply chains and operators more time to adjust, but it risks stoking tensions between environmental goals and economic interests within and beyond the EU.