EU Votes For A Second Year-Long Delay To EUDR Implementation – CoffeeTalk

The European Union has voted to delay the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for a second consecutive year, due to technical concerns. On November 26, the European Parliament approved an amendment delaying the law’s start date to December 30, 2026, with a grace period for small businesses until June 30, 2027. Initially set to take effect at the end of 2024, the EUDR aims to prohibit EU member states from importing commodities like soy, beef, cocoa, and palm oil sourced from areas deforested after 2020.

Critics, including Nicole Polsterer from the NGO Fern, argue that the amendments risk undermining the law’s intent, which was supported by a strong democratic mandate two years ago. The revisions also exclude printed books and newspapers from the regulation, seemingly favoring the forestry industry, and exempt small producers in “low-risk” countries, including nations like the U.S., China, Australia, and Canada.

Significant industry voices, including Nestlé and WWF, expressed concerns over the market instability that further delays could create. The Parliament has requested the EU Commission to conduct a “simplification review” of the law, which could lead to additional amendments and prolong legal uncertainty. The current proposed changes will enter informal negotiations among the EU’s governmental branches before returning to the Parliament for final ratification, leading to additional costs for businesses that have already begun preparations for the expected enforcement of the law.

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