German Government Requests Delay of EUDR
German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir has requested the European Commission to postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by six months, from January 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025. Özdemir emphasized that businesses need more time to prepare adequately, noting that essential components for implementation, such as Germany's classification as a low-deforestation-risk country, are still missing. The Minister expressed concerns that the lack of preparation could disrupt supply chains, affecting both European and global economies, including small-scale farmers in third countries.
Özdemir criticized the EU Commission for its lack of clarity and urged it to provide the necessary support and technical solutions that were promised to businesses but have yet to be fully delivered. The EUDR aims to curb global deforestation by creating a regulatory framework within the EU, but Özdemir insists that its implementation must be practical and minimally bureaucratic to be effective. Despite the delay at the EU level, Germany's Ministry of Agriculture has made progress in facilitating a more straightforward application of the EUDR domestically, including providing guidance and adapting systems to support businesses.
Delay in Execution of EUDR?
Although the execution of the EUDR is scheduled to begin on December 30th, 2024, companies and public administrations are still awaiting the promised clarifications and necessary documents to prepare adequately. Despite being announced for early summer, these documents have yet to be published, contributing to growing concerns about the readiness for implementation. This delay in delivering the essential materials indicates a broader lag in the overall execution of the EUDR, further justifying the call for a postponement to ensure a smooth and effective rollout.
Links
German government calls for postponement of EUDR
(Press Release, 13. June 2024, German)
German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food on EUDR
(Website, German)
European Commission on EUDR
(Website, English)