Negative economic impact of the Deforestation Regulation and the cost of slogan-driven politics motivated by virtue signalling

Question for written answer E-003746/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Charlie Weimers (ECR), Beatrice Timgren (ECR), Dick Erixon (ECR)

The Commission's frequent reliance on slogans such as 'we just keep fighting deforestation'[1] and 'every drop counts'[2] undermines European economies, especially the Nordic forestry industry.

While these statements may resonate on an emotional level, they fail to address the practical realities faced by sectors such as forestry, where sustainable practices are a core tenet of operations. In Sweden, forestry is governed by stringent regulations, with a focus on sustainable management and reforestation - principles that have long been in place - yet these practices are often incorrectly categorised as contributing to deforestation.

This virtue-signaling approach, based on oversimplified rhetoric, puts thousands of Swedish and other European jobs at risk in forestry and associated industries. The EU's Deforestation Regulation[3], which is repeatedly postponed due to its technical flaws, harms industries in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe without adequately addressing the complexities of the sector.

Considering these facts:

• 1.How will the Commission address the economic consequences of this policy driven by virtue signaling, which causes job losses in industries such as Nordic forestry?
• 2.Will it work to exempt Sweden and Finland, which already uphold the highest environmental standards, from the regulation?
• 3.What steps will the Commission take to ensure that slogan-driven politics is not prioritised over the preservation of European jobs and industry?

Submitted: 26.9.2025

• [1] EU delays ban on imports linked to deforestation for second time https://www.ft.com/content/ab4053ec-0a90-46da-a291-31f1c455663e.
• [2] 'Every drop counts, and every action matters. We call on all to strengthen water and climate policies.' Statement by Commissioner Roswall on World Water Day https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/bg/statement_25_850.
• [3] OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206, ELI: https://http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1115/oj (https://http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1115/oj).