A new investigation by the environmental advocacy group Mighty Earth alleges that US-based corporations and trade associations conducted a two-year lobbying effort to weaken the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR is designed to ensure that products sold in the European market do not contribute to global forest degradation.

According to the report, entities including Cargill, Bunge, Mondelēz, and the US Soybean Export Council participated in over 350 meetings with EU officials. The report characterizes these interactions as a "blitz" intended to postpone the implementation of the law and dilute its environmental requirements. The findings suggest that these groups sought to protect supply chains that rely on commodities often linked to deforestation, such as soy and cocoa.

In response to the report, the companies and trade groups mentioned have pushed back against the characterization of their activities. Representatives for the industry deny that there was a concerted or coordinated campaign to derail the legislation. They maintain that their engagement with EU regulators is a standard part of the policy-making process, intended to ensure that new regulations are practical and do not cause unnecessary disruption to global trade. While the report highlights the volume of meetings, the industry groups argue that their participation was focused on clarifying technical aspects of the law rather than undermining its core environmental objectives. The EU has not yet issued a formal response to the specific claims made in the Mighty Earth investigation.