European Commission excludes leather from landmark deforestation law

The European Commission has decided to exclude leather from its new antideforestation law, sparking criticism from environmentalists who argue that this move is due to lobbying by the leather industry rather than scientific evidence. This law, known as the EUDR, aims to prevent deforestation by requiring companies to ensure that commodities like cattle and soy are sourced sustainably. Critics say this decision undermines the law's effectiveness in addressing the broader issue of deforestation, potentially allowing industries that significantly contribute to habitat destruction to evade regulation.