Advertise
US corporations and trade associations have spent the past two years engaged in a concerted effort to delay and weaken the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), according to claims by the environmental organization Mighty Earth. As reported by The Guardian, the organization documented more than 350 meetings between representatives of American businesses and industry bodies and European Union officials.
Mighty Earth stated that 24 major US companies, trade associations, and industry organizations discussed the EUDR at least 173 times with members of the European Parliament and held 178 meetings with senior European Commission officials. These high-level contacts reportedly took place between July 2024 and July 2026.
Among the organizations cited for frequent engagement with the European Commission were the National Alliance of Forest Owners, the Advanced Woody Biomass Alliance, the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Bunge, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU, and Cargill. Specifically, the report notes that Mondelēz participated in eight such meetings, Cargill held two, and Bunge held one.
The EUDR prohibits the import into the EU of commodities including palm oil, soy, cattle, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and timber if they originate from land subject to deforestation. While the official application of the regulation has already been postponed twice, it is currently scheduled to enter into force this December.
Representatives from the accused US companies and industry groups have denied coordinating efforts to derail the environmental rules, maintaining that their discussions focused on practical implementation challenges. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU highlighted technical issues with IT systems and a lack of clarity regarding corporate obligations. The US Soybean Export Council clarified that it was not seeking exemptions or delays but rather advocating for a transition period. Bunge reaffirmed its support for the regulation's objectives, noting its significant investments in monitoring and traceability for soy supplies.
Mighty Earth also indicated that lobbying efforts extended through the US Congress, the Department of Agriculture, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the White House. Both Cargill and Mondelēz declined to provide comments for publication regarding the findings.
Source: The Guardian - UA.NEWS