“The EU deforestation regulation is completely unsuitable. A postponement or cosmetic corrections will not solve this problem,” stated the liberal European Parliamentarian Mag. Roman Haider in view of today’s vote on postponing the entry into force of the EU Deforestation Regulation.
The regulation would require a detailed declaration of due diligence, which should contain data such as the geo-coordinates of the original wood, the exact name of the tree species, etc. “As with the unfortunate supply chain law, both the effort and the liability risk should fall to the European actors, although the detailed research required is often either impossible or economically unjustifiable,” criticized Haider. Such regulations make little sense for countries like Austria, where the forest population is increasing – in areas that are actually massively affected by deforestation, there are countless workarounds. “In effect, this creates a toothless paper tiger that doesn’t achieve its goal. At the same time, however, the effort for local entrepreneurs and foresters will be increased enormously and as a result, price increases for consumers can also be expected,” explained Haider. Rather, when concluding trade contracts, for example, there would be an opportunity to influence the negotiating partners in order to stop deforestation. Therefore the law as a whole must be withdrawn. Other suitable ways to combat deforestation must be found without unnecessarily burdening local forestry.
He, Haider, was therefore somewhat shocked that the EPP pushed through this law together with the left-wing factions last year, despite massive concerns from many quarters. “At home, the blacks always act as big representatives of farmers and business and in Brussels, together with the reds and greens, they give them the proverbial hack in the back,” said Haider, pointing out that the FPÖ EU MPs are the only Austrian representatives voted against the law. Now suddenly, when it is almost too late, the EPP wants to achieve changes in the regulation and a postponement with the help of the right-wing groups. “This behavior is disgraceful. This means that no sensible policy can be made for the foresters, entrepreneurs and citizens affected. “First, co-passing an extremely dangerous law in order not to offend the left, and then, when the hat is in bright flames, suddenly backtrack half-heartedly,” said Haider indignantly. In addition, the EPP would have re-elected the anti-farmer Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and thus made itself an accomplice in the continuation of the destructive Green Deal.
“In truth, the EPP bears just as much responsibility for all the harmful measures against farmers, entrepreneurs and, above all, citizens as their left-wing accomplices,” Haider concluded.
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