Arkansas congressional delegation urges EU leaders to reconsider deforestation policy
The Arkansas congressional delegation, including senators and House members, has penned a letter to European Union leaders requesting a reevaluation of their Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products. The delegation argues that Regulation 2023/1115 poses challenges to American wood imports and could negatively impact the United States forest products industry. They emphasize that the U.S. is committed to international efforts to suppress deforestation but believes the EU regulation presents obstacles to trade.
The EU’s regulation, which went into effect in June 2023, requires operators and traders to prove that their products are not from deforested lands or have contributed to forest degradation. This impacts various commodities such as cattle, cocoa, oil palm, coffee, and wood products. The delegation from Arkansas, a state heavily reliant on timber for its economy, highlights the importance of the forest products industry in the state.
Members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation serve on committees with jurisdiction over forestry matters, further underscoring the significance of this issue to the state. They call for the EU to work with the United States to recognize it as a low-risk country for deforestation and ensure that reporting requirements are proportional and take into account commodity-specific challenges.
The delegation also raises concerns about potential trade implications, noting that the EU could risk losing its trading relationship with the U.S. forest products industry if key issues are not addressed. They urge European leaders to collaborate with American counterparts to find solutions that are mutually beneficial for both parties. The letter emphasizes the importance of recognizing the U.S. as a responsible steward of its forest resources and calls for more reasonable and achievable obligations under the EU regulation.
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