No surprises: Uruguay rated “low risk” for deforestation by the EU

The European Commission published last Thursday its classification of countries whose exports to the European Union could be linked to deforestation at origin. As expected, Uruguay was listed among the “low risk” countries. This means that only 1% of shipments will be subject to inspection. Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi told El Observador that the classification is a “recognition” of Uruguay’s environmental and production management, and that being labeled “low risk” grants the country “a different status.” The only other South American country in this category is Chile.