COCERAL urges EU anti-deforestation law delay

EU agricultural commodities trade association COCERAL is calling for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to be delayed for an additional year to resolve challenges it says threaten the stability of the soyabean supply chain. The EUDR – due to be implemented on 30 December – requires companies that sell cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soyabean, wood and rubber products into the EU to prove that they are deforestation free. COCERAL – which represents the cereals, rice, feedstuffs, oilseeds, olive oil, oils and fats sectors – has urged the European Commission (EC) to reconsider the timeline for all market to ensure a smooth transition for EU industries and consumers. On 21 October, the EC proposed delaying implementation of the EUDR for micro and small operators until 30 December 2026, while keeping this year’s 30 December deadline for large and medium companies, but with a six-month grace period. COCERAL said the fragmented implementation timelines had increased uncertainty and ...