NGOs and Industry Voice Concerns About EU Anti-Deforestation Law
The upcoming enforcement of an EU law aimed at ensuring that European supply chains are free from deforestation is raising concerns among various stakeholders, including industries, traders, farmers, and environmental organizations. As the European Commission has delayed the release of enforcement guidelines for the new EU anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) with just five months until it takes effect, anxiety is mounting throughout the agri-food sector and among environmental advocates.
This law impacts widely consumed commodities in the EU, such as cocoa, coffee, cattle, soy, and palm oil, affecting numerous importers, processors, retailers, and farmers on a global scale. There are growing fears that small farmers in developing countries will bear the brunt of these regulations. The Global Coffee Platform (GCP), which includes organizations like the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, Heifer International, Rainforest Alliance, Slow Food, and Solidaridad Network, has called on the Commission to address key issues regarding the implementation of this law.
On July 26, the GCP endorsed a letter directed to the Commission, which included signatures from coffee-growing organizations worldwide and the European Coffee Federation, representing both small and medium-sized processors, as well as larger companies like Nestlé and Starbucks. This coalition is urging the Commission to resolve their concerns promptly.
The EUDR mandates that companies trace their products back to their farms and provide geo-location information, ensuring that no forests have been cleared since December 2020. This requirement will place a significant burden on European importers and traders, as well as farmers who must quickly adjust to the new bureaucratic landscape. However, crucial guidelines from the Commission that were anticipated in spring have yet to be released.
In the letter addressed to the Commission, the coffee value chain advocates for an enhanced IT platform to facilitate the uploading of geo-location data, the development of a benchmarking system to assess the deforestation risk of various countries, and comprehensive guidelines on safeguarding farmers’ data. Stakeholders have also pressed for the timely release of guidance documents and updated FAQs to clarify the EUDR’s impact.
Miguel Gamboa, the coffee sector lead at the Rainforest Alliance, emphasized the organization’s support for the EUDR while noting the need to address lingering concerns to prevent adverse effects on farmers. He highlighted that many smallholder coffee farmers require assistance to meet the EUDR’s traceability, deforestation risk mapping, and compliance standards.
Pressure is building as letters and requests from stakeholders, lawmakers, and EU governments for a delay in EUDR implementation continue to flood the Commission. On July 25, EuroCommerce, an EU retail group, expressed “deep concern” and requested a six-month extension for companies following the readiness of necessary IT tools and benchmarking resources. They noted the significant challenges faced by retailers dealing with a wide range of products and suppliers.
Farmers from EU trading partners, including the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), echoed the calls for a delay, stating that a lack of adequate information about the EUDR poses risks to farmers’ livelihoods. CFAN pointed out that without a postponement, farmers face “imminent negative impacts.”
Members of the European Parliament have inquired about the enforcement of the EUDR, but the Commission has provided vague responses, reiterating only that efforts are “underway” and encouraging reliance on FAQs that have not been updated since December 2023.
In the Centre-right European People’s Party’s political priorities for the 2024-2029 term, there are indications of a possible delay in implementing the EUDR. Prominent Green MEP Thomas Waitz has suggested that a slight postponement could be beneficial to provide certainty to national administrations and businesses.
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John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.