The ICMSA has said it ‘warmly welcomes’ the recent approval by the European Parliament of a law that will ban all importation of beef involved in any destruction of forestry into the EU.
ICMSA President Pat McCormack said the law governing beef, soy, coffee, and other commodities was “absolutely required” against a background where the EU was “effectively forcing its own farmers to plant and reinstate forestry”.
However, Mr McCormack also highlighted the need for stringent verification that the laws would not be circumvented.
“We don’t think that their simple assurances can just be accepted like that. Perhaps the EU might look at assurances or inspections from reputable environmental agencies and groups in these producer countries as well as having their own officials on the ground to verify the requirements of this law,” he said.
