The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has called for a delay in construction projects where the construction could be interpreted as causing deforestation.
Products that have caused deforestation will soon no longer be sold in the European Union. The reason is the deforestation regulation, which the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of on Wednesday.
The new rules apply to cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, rubber, charcoal and printed paper products.
Parliament gave its final approval to the regulation in Strasbourg by 552 votes to 44 with 43 abstentions.
When the member states have also officially approved the text, it will be published in the EU’s official journal and enter into force 20 days later. The regulation binds member countries everywhere as it is, and as far as the approval of the member countries is concerned, it is only a matter of formality.
In Finland, however, expansions of cattle farms have caused concern.
Regarding construction projects for cattle or dairy farms, it is still unclear whether they are considered to cause deforestation.
Due to the unclear situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has recommended delaying cattle and dairy farming construction projects where the construction could be interpreted as causing deforestation.
The ministry intends to reconsider its recommendation in May at the latest. It has also said that it will inform about the matter immediately after receiving additional information about the interpretation of the regulation.
The European Parliament says in its press release that the European Commission will classify countries or their parts as low, medium or high risk areas within 18 months of the entry into force of the regulation.
Products originating from low-risk countries are subject to a simplified due diligence procedure, and the level of risk also affects the number of inspections.
The maximum fine following a violation of the regulation must be at least four percent of the violator’s total annual turnover in the EU.
Consideration of human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples was also added to the regulation as an additional requirement.