![The European Union's new plan to curb deforestation is deeply flawed 1](https://i0.wp.com/images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/03154529/SEI_162180320.jpg?resize=696%2C463&ssl=1)
An oil palm plantation on deforested land in South-East Asia
richcarey/iStockphoto/Getty Images
The European Union is aiming to stop vast swathes of tropical forest from being destroyed or degraded with a new law that came into effect last week. But sustainability researchers have told New Scientist the law doesn’t address the systemic issues that cause deforestation, and there is uncertainty about how effective it will be.
From 29 June, large to medium-sized companies registered in the EU have 18 months to ensure their products haven’t been produced on land deforested after 2020; …