EU releases list of high-risk exporters linked to deforestation

The European Commission has released its initial classification of countries under the EU Deforestation Regulation, identifying Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Myanmar as high-risk exporters of products linked to deforestation, such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and timber. Notably, no Latin American countries appear in either the high- or medium-risk categories, despite prior concerns and lobbying.

This classification is a key component of the EU’s new law aimed at curbing imported deforestation, which is central to the European Green Deal. The regulation, recently revised to extend compliance timelines by one year, subjects imports from high-risk countries to stricter monitoring—up to 9% of shipments—compared to just 1% for low-risk exporters.

The announcement follows intense lobbying by industries and governments, including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and several others concerned about the potential economic impact. Environmental groups, however, have criticized the absence of medium-risk countries, particularly amid ongoing deforestation in regions like the Amazon and Gran Chaco.

According to the Commission, the high-risk countries on the list also face existing EU or UN sanctions related to their trade in raw materials, adding another layer of scrutiny to their environmental practices.