Part 14/16:

Australian farmers and lawmakers are wary of the potential trade implications. The Australian Farmers Federation insists that a fair agreement must recognize the country’s land management practices, which have largely avoided recent deforestation. Some see the regulation as an opportunity to improve traceability and bolster market access, provided that Australian goods are classified as low risk.

While the EU aims to reduce its overall deforestation footprint—responsible for 16% of global deforestation due to consumption—the regulation’s enforcement by the end of 2024 signifies a turning point in global commodity trade. Brussels remains committed to ending forest loss, with legislation emphasizing that "deforestation must be a thing of the past," despite mounting pushback.