The European Parliament voted on Thursday for a 12-month delay to the implementation of a law banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation, and adopted a series of amendments to weaken the law itself.

The European Parliament has bowed to pressure from various stakeholders and voted to delay a landmark deforestation regulation. Environmental NGOs and politicians warn the slowdown threatens forests and the climate.

The European Parliament demanded further changes to a landmark law to tackle global deforestation, adding complications to a plan to delay the controversial rules before they take effect later this year.

BRUSSELS: The European Parliament on Thursday (Nov 14) approved a one-year delay on implementing the bloc's landmark anti-deforestation rules,

The bill is set to enter into force at the end of 2025, but has now to be renegotiated with member states. A right wing majority pushed for amendments to weaken the provisions, in a contested vote. #E

The European Parliament sought on Thursday to water down a ban on the import of commodities such as beef and soy linked to deforestation, and backed a one year delay to the new rule, in a fresh push-back against the EU's environmental agenda.