EU moves closer to decision on delaying anti-deforestation regulation

UkrAgroConsult

Intense discussions continue within the European Union regarding the future implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at preventing the entry of products linked to deforestation into the EU market. During the latest meeting, representatives of Member States expressed serious concerns about the readiness of the system for the regulation’s full rollout, initially planned for 2025.

A majority of EU countries — including Austria, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Latvia — voiced support for postponing the regulation by at least 12 months. They emphasized that the current IT system for product traceability is not yet operational, and both businesses and national authorities need more time to adapt to the new requirements. Austria even tabled an official proposal to “stop the clock” and introduce substantial simplifications to the control mechanism.

Northern European countries such as Sweden and Finland highlighted that while the goals of the regulation remain crucial, its implementation must be realistic. According to their statements, the complexity of the procedures and the excessive administrative burden could create significant challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Ireland proposed a one-year postponement for all companies to allow both businesses and authorities to prepare adequately.

Meanwhile, several countries, including the Netherlands and Spain, urged caution and warned against undermining investments already made to comply with the EUDR. They support the regulation’s objectives but believe that any decision to delay should be balanced and avoid creating legal uncertainty for companies that have already invested in traceability systems.

Interestingly, Germany and France — two of the EU’s largest economies — have not yet presented official positions, causing some tension among other Member States. Without their participation, it will be difficult to reach a unified agreement at the EU Council level.

Following the meeting, the Danish EU Council Presidency promised to prepare a draft common position reflecting the majority view in favor of postponement. However, it seems unlikely that the draft will be ready before the next COREPER meeting scheduled for November 7.

The EUDR is one of the key components of the EU’s Green Deal and covers commodities such as coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, timber, beef, and rubber. Its main goal is to ensure that products placed on or exported from the EU market do not contribute to global deforestation. Yet, the current debate shows that even the most ambitious environmental initiatives require a pragmatic and balanced approach to their implementation.

Tags: EU, soybean, legislation, restrictions