Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their intended timetable for (1) laying before the House, and (2) bringing into force, regulations under Schedule 17 to the Environment Act 2021; and why they have not already brought forward such regulations since that Act received Royal Assent.

This Government recognises the urgency of tackling deforestation globally and the important role the UK has internationally. It plans to consult later this year on the GB approach to deforestation. The proposed approach includes updating existing requirements under the UK Timber Regulation and introducing regulations under Schedule 17 of the Environment Act 2021. It is expected that legislation to implement this regime will be laid in 2027, with a scheme coming into force in 2028.