PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The European Union’s (EU) implementation of the Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), initially announced in the 2019 Commission Communication, has sparked widespread attention and controversy since its enforcement on June 29, 2023.
This regulation requires a commitment to assess both regulated and non-regulated aspects of the supply chain, enhance transparency, and mitigate deforestation risks associated with commodity imports into the EU.
However, discussions surrounding the EUDR have elicited concerns and protests from various countries and groups. Many criticize the lack of inclusion of commodity-producing nations, which will be directly affected by the regulations. The commodities in question include wood, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, soybeans, rubber, and beef cattle. Additionally, discrepancies with established principles, such as common but differentiated responsibilities, and potential violations of World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations are also significant concerns raised during these discussions.
Also Read: Sustainability Spotlight: Indonesian Palm Oil Production After EUDR
As in the official statement from Coordinator Ministry in Economy that Palmoilmagazine.com got, Friday (26/4/2024), Indonesia and Malaysia as two main palm oil producing countries, also protest EUDR. The two countries did the same mission to Brussel to reveal their concern and negative implications by publishing the regulation. As the follow up, EU agreed to establish joint task force (JTF) to discuss what producer countries would face.
In the JTF, there were five focuses stated, such as, smallholders should be involved in supply chain, the comparison between EUDR and national – scale standard, traceability tools, personal data protection. Besides, the Government of Indonesia is developing digital platform, such as, National Dashboard to reinforce smallholders’ supply chain and commodity industries that may get the impacts from EUDR.
On the other hand, United States of America also concerned. 27 senators objected the impacts from EUDR in pulp and paper industries in the country. They said that the terms and condition would be difficult to qualify, such as, traceability, geolocation, and even suggested US trade representatives to get communication with EU.
EU reacted that the main farmers’ association, Copa Cogeca claimed its inability to qualify EUDR in this very short.
The controversy about EUDR showed the complexity to solve deforestation issues but promote sustainability in many countries. EU just wants to protect the environment while preventing deforestation. The debate would still occure about the sustainability and accommodation for many parties. (T2)
