Deforestation regulation draws more discussion

The new European Union Deforestation Regulation, known as EUDR, which has been subject to considerable discussion in previous sessions of the International Tropical Timber Council, also received attention today as part of the Council’s Trade and Market Day.

CIFOR-ICRAF Chief Operating Officer Robert Nasi presented on the implications of the EUDR for the tropical timber trade. He said the regulation, which was adopted in 2023, is designed to address deforestation associated with several commodities and derived products imported into the European Union.

Dr Nasi outlined differences between the EUDR and the European Union Timber Regulation, which was introduced in 2013, and described some key risks and opportunities for producer countries. He said uncertainties remained about the EUDR, including around proposed amendments. Implementation of the regulation has been delayed, and it is now expected to come into force at the end of 2025.

A delegate from the European Union said everyone in the room was concerned about the state of the world’s forests and the attendant consequences for the world’s climate and biodiversity.

“And the EU and its 27 Member States believe that we all have to act,” she said. “As an important consumer of timber and timber products, the EU will make sure that its consumption does not drive further decline in the EU or beyond our borders. With the EUDR, the EU and its 27 Member States respond to the demand of our consumers.”

The delegate of the EU also provided information on the process to bring the EUDR into force.

“The EU Commission has proposed and 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. 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. ... We are expecting a decision on the EU Commission proposal from the co-legislators very soon.”

The EUDR has caused concerns among some tropical timber producers, as reflected in the TAG statement delivered during the day.

“The TAG welcomes the proposal from the European Commission to delay the EUDR application date by 12 months to 30 December 2025 which will allow more preparation time for the timber industry to comply,” said the statement. “However, the industry is concerned over the uncertainty of the delay as well as new 11th hour amendments, which are problematic for multiple reasons.”

The TAG urged the European Commission to work with both consumers and producers to ensure the smooth implementation of the EUDR.

In a statement during the session, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)’s Cindy Cheng said the EUDR, which is “creating some unsettling times”, would be a focus for the FSC in the coming year.

“FSC is keen to work together with the industry sector to provide solutions to help support stakeholders and companies in compliance of the EUDR new regulations,” she said.

Also during Trade and Markets Day, delegates heard the report of the Expert Panel for Technical Appraisal of Project Proposals; ex-post evaluation reports on two ITTO projects related to forest fire management; and reports on market access, forest and timber certification, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade.

Luis Alvarado from the Panama Canal Authority spoke about the Environmental Economic Incentive Program, is a comprehensive reforestation programme to establish protective vegetation cover in the Panama Canal watershed that has been underway since 2009. Most of the land is privately owned, so approaches need to ensure farm viability while also restoring the environment. Incentives are provided to farmers to help them protect remaining native forests in the canal basin.

Yifang Chen, representing a sawmilling company in Panama, said her company was committed to sustainability and fair trade. She presented a video on efforts to process precious woods in Panama and on the role of the national timber traceability system, developed with ITTO support, in marketing wood products in high-value markets.


More information on the Council session, including presentations, are available here: https://www.itto.int/ittc-60/presentations.
Daily coverage of the session by IISD reporting services is available at https://enb.iisd.org/ittc60-international-tropical-timber-council.