In a symbolic but politically significant vote on 9 July 2025, the European Parliament rejected the European Commission’s country‑risk classification under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), with 373 MEPs in favor, 289 against, and 26 abstentions. Spearheaded by the European People’s Party and MEP Alexander Bernhuber, the resolution criticized the Commission’s benchmarking methodology for using outdated data, ignoring current land‑use and forest degradation trends, and offering only three risk categories (“low,” “standard,” and “high”), which MEPs argued were too simplistic. They demanded the introduction of a “no risk” category to better reflect countries with stable or expanding forests. Bernhuber specifically questioned why major deforestation contributors, such as Ivory Coast, were not classified as high risk, pointing to inconsistencies in the existing list.

Although the motion is non‑binding, it escalates pressure on the Commission to revise the country‑risk system before the EUDR comes into force in December 2025. Currently, only Belarus, North Korea, Russia, and Myanmar are labeled “high risk,” while countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and the DRC fall into the “standard risk” category, despite being notable deforestation hotspots. All EU member states are designated “low risk,” allowing simplified due diligence protocols. The Parliament’s action raises concerns that the flawed classification could undermine the law’s credibility and effectiveness, delay enforcement, and impose additional burdens on companies, but until the Commission acts, the May 2025 list remains in force and due diligence obligations remain unchanged.