A presentation by the European Commission’s Environmental Directorate (EC DG ENV) to a webinar hosted by FERN, the Brussels based environmental NGO, on 17 March 2021 has indicated that the EU may be considering changes to its strategy with regard to the FLEGT VPA process. The EU is considering introduction of a new regulation to minimise the risk of deforestation in imported products – including soy, palm oil, beef, coffee, cocoa and others, besides timber – placed on the EU market. In some ways, the proposed measures build on the existing policy framework contained in the FLEGT Action Plan. However, they also raise questions about the future of existing instruments such as the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and FLEGT licensing systems.
EC raises question mark over FLEGT VPA process
