Concerns raised at WTO over EU's deforestation law

Nine countries, including India, Russia and Brazil, on Friday raised concerns over the EU's deforestation law, at the World Trade Organisation.

Terming the EU's policy directive "unfortunate", New Delhi said that it will directly harm the economic interests of women and small enterprises. India also reiterated its concerns about the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which kicks in from October, officials said.

"India said the agriculture sector in developing countries, including itself, is crucial for employment and that such policies harm the economic interests of some socio-economic groups," said an official.


As per the EU Deforestation Regulation, exporters to the bloc must ensure that these products have been grown on the land which has not been deforested after December 31, 2020.

Separately, 12 WTO members including China, India, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Korea reiterated their concerns at the CBAM. As per the official, China said CBAM is a unilateral measure that deviates from the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and violates the non-discrimination rule of the WTO.