Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the European Commission
12.5.2020
Following ‘Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests’[1], the Commission has launched an impact assessment[2] of potential measures to increase supply chain transparency and minimise the risk of global deforestation and forest degradation linked to products placed on the EU market.
Following the Green Deal Communication[3], the Commission published studies identifying policy options, including possible EU legislation, to promote companies’ exercise of due diligence, including in their supply chains. On this basis, the Commission will decide on the appropriate next steps.
Mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence obligations have already been established at EU level for some economic operators, e.g. importers of “conflict minerals” and timber products. In addition, the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive[4] introduced obligations on due diligence reporting.
In Brazil, the Soy Moratorium[5] is a collaboration between civil society, industry and government to stop deforestation due to soy production in the Amazon. It is widely seen as having delivered a significant drop in deforestation in the past.
Plant proteins are a vital component of food and animal feed. Leguminosae are an excellent source of plant proteins and provide multiple environmental services. The Commission issued recently a report[6] identifying areas for actions to support the development of these crops: integration of plant proteins in Member States’ Common Agricultural Policy strategic plans; research and innovation[7]; improving market transparency; promoting benefits of plant proteins; knowledge exchange. The Commission is committed to follow up on these actions in close cooperation with Member States and stakeholders.
- [1] COM(2019) 352 final, 23 July 2019
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12137-Minimising-the-risk-of-deforestation-and-forest-degradation-associated-with-products-placed-on-the-EU-market
- [3] COM(2019) 640 final, 11 December 2019
- [4] Directive 2014/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups
- [5] https://www.fairr.org/engagements/amazon-soy-moratorium/
- [6] COM(2018) 757 final, 22 November 2018
- [7] Support to EU plant protein production for food, feed and environmental services will be a research priority in Horizon Europe (2021 — 2027).