EU Commission critiques Germany over forest law penalties, rule‑of‑law gaps and multiple infringements

The German Federal Ministry of Agriculture completed a draft law to implement the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Forest‑owner associations say the proposed fines are far higher than necessary and would burden family forest enterprises.

The European Commission has opened seven infringement procedures against Germany, covering EU rules on work permits, asylum‑seeker standards, media and NGO protection, severe environmental crimes, anti‑discrimination bodies, and product approvals. The Commission warned that Germany has two months to respond before possible Court of Justice action and fines.

In a separate rule‑of‑law report, the Commission gave Germany an overall positive assessment but flagged three persistent shortcomings: lack of a dedicated press‑information right, insufficient transparency of lobbying influence, and no progress on tax relief for non‑profit organisations. The Commission recommended establishing a law guaranteeing journalists access to federal documents, creating a public register of legislative lobbying, and advancing tax‑exemption reforms for NGOs.