EU deforestation rule delay buys time for US beef producers

For beef, the regulation would require geolocation data on where cattle were raised. “It essentially requires geolocations for properties where cattle are raised to prove that they come from lands not deforested,” explained Erin Borror, vice president of economic analysis at the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). “And there are several layers of requirements, so it’s a pretty intensive documentation process, and the systems were not ready for implementation on Dec. 30.” While US beef producers don’t have to worry about the deforestation aspect of this rule, the paperwork itself could prove a burden. “We have, in general, traceability on our production for Europe through the non-hormone treated cattle program, but those geolocations are not shared past the verifier,” she said. “So there are pieces that already exist, but they’re not all put together to be able to feed into … this information system that’s freshly launched, and the importers having those locations in play by Dec. 30 ...