EUDR – Support for Amendment 65: Protecting Europe’s Democratic and Cultural Sectors

Books, newspapers and magazines do not cause deforestation — yet they remain included under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This risks harming Europe’s press and book sectors without adding any environmental value.

EPC together with other associations representing Europe’s press and publishing industries, strongly call on MEPs to support Amendment 65, which restores the original Commission proposal and excludes finished printed products from the EUDR’s scope.

Excluding books, newspapers and magazines does not weaken the Regulation’s environmental ambition. On the contrary, all paper used in these products will still need to comply fully with EUDR requirements, ensuring that environmental safeguards remain intact. What the amendment does is keep the Regulation focused where it matters: on materials that can truly drive deforestation.

Including finished printed products only creates unnecessary burdens and risks disrupting the free flow of information, media pluralism, cultural diversity and education across Europe. Retailers have warned they may delist press products, international publishers are re‑evaluating their EU presence, and even books could face destruction due to unworkable compliance rules.

As the Parliament prepares to vote on Wednesday, 26 November, we urge MEPs to support Amendment 65, a proportionate, pragmatic solution that upholds both environmental integrity and Europe’s democratic values.

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Access our statement below:

EUDR Joint Voting Recommendation - Exclusion of printed products (EIBF ENPA EMMA EPC FEP N.

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