Implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation

Dear President,

We are writing to you to reiterate our full support for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In response to the global biodiversity and climate crises, you and your Commission introduced this landmark legislation in November 2021 to combat and accelerate the end of global deforestation. This legislation, the first of its kind in the world, is intended to guarantee that EU citizens’ consumption of key forest-risk commodities does not contribute to the destruction of irreplaceable forests, from the tropics to Europe and beyond. 

The EUDR entered into force in June 2023 after having been adopted with broad support from the Council and Parliament. EU Member States and the Commission must now swiftly implement this law and ensure it is complied with by all relevant actors. This legislation was introduced to create a level playing field in the market after the failure of many years of voluntary pledges by the private sector to address deforestation in their supply chains. It is a crucial part of ensuring that the EU meets the commitments made by parties to the UN Climate Convention at COP28 in December 2023: ‘[...] conserving, protecting and restoring nature and ecosystems towards achieving the Paris agreement temperature goal’ and ‘halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030’, but also to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the UN Biodiversity Conference at COP15 in December 2022. In light of these international commitments, the decision by the Commission last year to award a tender for the targeted reviews foreseen under Article 34 (para. 1-4) of the EUDR is a welcome, necessary step forward.

Given the worsening climate and biodiversity crises, it is crucial for this generation and future generations that the actions required of the Commission and Member States under the EUDR are carried out on time. The destruction of forests and ecosystems continues unabated with considerable impact on the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and of communities who rely on forests and other ecosystems, and with consequences already being felt withinthe EU through worsening droughts and forest fires. The EU urgently needs to break away from a production and consumption model that fuels nature destruction and threatens human rights and farming livelihoods.

We are aware that certain industry associations, third countries and even agriculture ministers from EU Member States are criticising the EUDR or certain aspects of it, risking undermining it, despite years of research, consultation, and an open, and transparent legislative process.

We urge you to protect the integrity of the EU democratic decision-making process and to ensure that the EU stands firm in pursuing the objectives set out in the EUDR. Political leadership, as reflected with the development of the Green Deal, shows long-term vision, which is needed for this global crisis. We trust that you will stand by the commitment you made to EU citizens and uphold the law that you and your Commission proposed - and that the Council and Parliament overwhelmingly approved - by ensuring its proper and swift implementation. 

We would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss the details of this important matter further with you, and look forward to hearing from you regarding a suitable date and time for a meeting.

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