EU pushes deforestation laws back 12 months to give international stakeholders time to prepare

The European Commission has proposed delaying the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, a move welcomed by Cattle Australia (CA).

The commission on Thursday said the proposed changes were in response to feedback from international partners about their state of preparations and published additional guidance documents and a stronger international cooperation framework.

If approved by the European Parliament and the Council, the law would now become applicable on December 30, 2025 for large companies and June 30, 2026 for micro and small enterprises.

"Given the EUDR's novel character, the swift calendar, and the variety of international stakeholders involved, the Commission considers that a 12-month additional time to phase in the system is a balanced solution to support operators around the world in securing a smooth implementation from the start," the Commission reported.

"With this step, the Commission aims to provide certainty about the way forward and to ensure the success of the EUDR, which is paramount to address the EU's contribution to the pressing global issue of deforestation. 

"The extension proposal in no way puts into question the objectives or the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators."

The Commission also reported it was intensifying dialogues with most concerned countries, which will feed into the speedy finalisation of the country benchmarking system through a proposed Implementing Act by June 30, 2025.

READ MORE: Cattle Australia to develop deforestation definition in EU pushback

CA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chris Parker, said the organisation's Land Management Commitment Strategy (LMC), which provides a definition of agricultural land and deforestation that is cognisant of the unique Australian landscape and production systems, was a critical component of the international debate, demonstrating that Australian cattle producers abide by the some of the strictest vegetation management laws in the world.

“This is a victory for common sense with the EC recognising that the EUDR needs more work and stronger international cooperation if it is to play a role in protecting both the environment and global food security,” Dr Parker said.

“While the delay is needed at a practical level to provide beef supply chains time to prepare their businesses, the EU must also use this time to clarify compliance regulations and accept the equivalency of Australian definitions of agricultural land and vegetation laws, including 136 pieces of legislation across the State, Territory and Federal Governments, as well as mapping and agricultural land management practices as detailed in the LMC.

“CA will continue working with the Australian Government to strengthen the advocacy for the Australian LMC to be accepted on the international stage in order to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of our environment.”

CA has led Australian calls for better recognition of local environmental management methods and legislative protections, which was backed last month by a bi-partisan motion in the Senate calling for the EU to delay the regulation.

Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins also welcomed the delay and revealed the regulation had the potential to affect around $234 million in Australian exports.

"The Australian Government is committed to tackling global deforestation," Minister Collins said in a statement.

"However, the EU Deforestation Regulation imposes complex due diligence requirements that create technical barriers for a range of Australian agricultural products. 

"The Australian Government has actively engaged with the EU at all levels on the development of the Regulation, including seeking a delay of implementation until all of the regulation’s requirements are fully understood by traders.

"A delay in implementation of the regulation will provide an opportunity to further work with the EU to ensure the measure does not impose requirements that create unnecessary barriers to Australian exports."