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Since the voluntary initiatives did not produce the desired results, the EP formally asked the European Commission to propose legislation that would oblige companies to market goods on the EU market to ensure the traceability of their raw materials and to thoroughly check that these Raw materials do not come from natural forests or protected ecosystems.
MEPs are calling for sanctions to be imposed on companies that supply products from raw materials that threaten forests and other ecosystems. They would be fined and confiscated raw materials, as well as suspended access to the EU internal market or deprived of the right to participate in public procurement, according to a report by the EP Information Office.
Parliament stressed that such an EU legal framework must cover not only forests but also other ecosystems rich in biodiversity, such as seas and their coasts, wetlands, peatlands or savannas, to avoid the destruction of these landscapes. The European Commission should also provide definitions of deforestation and forest degradation. MEPs believe that primary and ancient forests should be recognized as protected around the world.
Economic operators must also ensure that the production of the products they offer does not involve human rights abuses, MEPs are convinced. These include rights to use land, indigenous rights, free, prior and informed consent, and other internationally recognized human rights related to the use, access or ownership of land.
Each year a total of 13 million are harvested. hectares of forest. The EU is one of the world’s largest importers of various raw materials that pose a threat to forests. EU consumers are the main contributors to global deforestation through palm oil, meat, soybeans, cocoa, coffee, eucalyptus, corn, and leather and rubber products.
“Since voluntary measures to stop global deforestation have failed, we need to create a viable and fair system based on mandatory due diligence. This is a crucial step to stop the EU’s contribution to global deforestation, “said Delara Burkhardt (Socialist and Democrat, Germany), EP rapporteur, after the vote.
377 MEPs voted in favor of the legislative initiative, 75 against and 243 abstained. MEPs hope that the European Commission will propose the relevant legislation in the near future. It would help implement the international human rights and environmental commitments of the EU and its countries.
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