EU proposes new delay to anti-deforestation rules

Illegal logging has depleted indigenous trees in forests. [File, Standard]

The EU said Tuesday it will seek a new one-year delay to sweeping anti-deforestation rules cheered by green groups but assailed by key trading partners from the United States to Indonesia.

Environmental groups reacted angrily to the prospect of postponing the bill, which was to ban imports of products driving deforestation from the end of 2025, saying it called into question the EU's climate commitment.