Relief in Brazil, Asia over delay to EU deforestation rules

Bras lia: Brazil s government on Thursday joined Asian palm oil and coffee producers in welcoming a European Union decision to delay implementation of...

Brasília: Brazil's government on Thursday joined Asian palm oil and coffee producers in welcoming a European Union decision to delay implementation of new anti-deforestation rules which had faced strong global pushback.

Brazil, the United States and other countries had criticized the law -- which aims to prevent the import of products that drive deforestation -- as being too complex, arguing it would particularly hurt small-scale producers.

It had been due to take effect at the end of 2024 but the European Commission on Wednesday proposed delaying implementation for large companies until the end of 2025.

Small businesses will have until June 2026 to comply.

Welcoming the postponement, Brazil's agriculture ministry told AFP it was the fruit of "international dialogue, in which Brazil had a key role in underlining the concerns of our producers."