BRUSSELS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The European Union will delay launching its anti-deforestation law for a second time, Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall said on Tuesday, postponing the ban on imports of commodities such as palm oil linked to forest destruction for another year.

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The European Union has decided to postpone the implementation of its deforestation law, which was set to take effect at the end of the year. The law requires sellers of commodities like soy, beef, and palm oil to provide proof that their products are not linked to forest destruction. The delay is officially due to concerns that the supporting IT system is not ready and risks disrupting trade, though the policy has faced strong opposition from industry and trade partners like the US, Brazil, and Indonesia.

This world-first policy is a key part of the EU's green agenda, aiming to stop 10% of global deforestation driven by EU consumption. However, it has been politically contested. The US paper and pulp industry has lobbied for an exemption, and some EU countries, including Poland and Austria, have argued that their own producers cannot comply with the traceability rules.

Environmental campaigners have strongly criticised the delay, arguing that every day of postponement leads to more deforestation, wildfires, and extreme weather. Despite the EU's official reason focusing on technical readiness, the decision follows a commitment to address US concerns as part of a trade deal with the Trump administration, highlighting the significant political and economic pressures surrounding the regulation.