Soybean exporters may need a traceability certificate for supplies to the EU in 2024

UkrAgroConsult

“The new EU legislation on combating deforestation introduces strict requirements for traceability of each individual batch of imported soybeans up to the field,” said Volodymyr Pugachev, Executive Director of the Danube Soybean Association.

The expert emphasized that the fields where soybeans are grown should not have been deforested in the past, and companies must properly confirm this in accordance with EU innovations.

Compliance with the sanitary requirements of the importing country, as well as monitoring changes in local legislation is extremely important for the export-oriented soybean sector of Ukraine, added V. Pugachev.

The Association reminded that they are a long-standing pioneer of sustainable agricultural production, and that Danube Soy already has a system for tracking soybean shipments “from field to table” and 2008 as the deadline for the ban on deforestation and land conversion, which significantly exceeds the new EU legal requirements.

For reference:

November 2021: The EU Commission (DG ENV) published a proposal for EU regulation on raw materials that pose a risk to forests and eco-systems (EUDR)

December 2022: Tripartite agreement – the proposal was approved by the European Commission, Council and Parliament: EUR-Lex — 52021PC0706 — EN — EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

May 2023: Final text of the regulation approved

Regulatory objective: to achieve deforestation-free supply chains in the EU

• Applies to imports into the EU as well as to commercial activities in the EU;
• Applies to six critical commodities: soy, cocoa, palm oil, beef, coffee, and timber;
• Detailed guidance for each of the critical commodities is expected in 2023 from the EU;
• The regulation is expected to enter into force at the end of 2024

Tags: Ukraine, export, EU, soybean