US corporate lobbyists launched a two-year effort to postpone and weaken the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), according to a new investigation by the environmental watchdog Mighty Earth. The advocacy group found that major US firms and trade associations, including Cargill, Bunge, Mondelēz, and the US Soybean Export Council, sought to influence the EUDR in more than 350 meetings.
Mighty Earth's analysis detailed at least 173 meetings with members of the European Parliament and 178 meetings with senior European Commission officials between July 2024 and July 2026. The report also suggests lobbying was conducted through US government bodies, including the US Congress and the White House.
US company representatives and industry groups deny there was a concerted campaign to derail the deforestation rules. They state their meetings with EU officials raised legitimate concerns around implementation, such as IT system shortcomings and a lack of clarity regarding company obligations.
The EUDR prohibits imports of commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood from deforested land. The law is scheduled to come into effect in December.