The Australian Forestry sector welcomes the European Union Commission’s announcement of a one-year delay in the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR, designed to ensure that products sold in the EU are not linked to deforestation, was initially set to take effect on 30 December 2024. However, countries from around the world and Australian forest growers had raised concerns that neither EU countries nor international systems were prepared to meet the original deadline, putting compliant businesses at risk.
AFPA Chief Executive Officer Di Hallam praised the EU Commission’s decision, highlighting the importance of this delay for Australian companies.
“We welcome the one-year extension, which will give Australian forest growers the time to begin using the tracing program without the risk of penalties, while the EU addresses technical issues,” Ms Hallam said.
“The Australian forestry sector supports the EUDR’s goal of addressing products linked to deforestation. However, the initial deadline was unrealistic. The systems required for compliance simply weren’t ready, and this would have unfairly impacted Australian growers who were prepared to meet the requirements.”
Ms Hallam also thanked key Australian Government ministers for their advocacy, which contributed to the extension. “We’re grateful to Australian Government Ministers, including Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins MP, and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Murray Watt, for their advocacy. Their leadership helped ensure that Australian businesses will have the time needed to meet the new requirements,” she said.
Australia’s forestry sector operates under some of the strictest environmental and sustainability standards in the world, with forest management practices designed to ensure renewal and long-term sustainability. Ms Hallam emphasised the need for further work to ensure the regulation’s implementation does not create unnecessary trade barriers for responsible producers, producers from developing nations and small land holders.
“It is crucial to understand that deforestation refers to the permanent removal of forest, when the forest is cleared and the land then used for another purpose. AFPA represents the sustainable forest producers who replace the trees that are harvested to meet the demand for fibre, regardless of whether they are sourced from plantation estates or our sustainably managed native forests.
“We look forward to working with both the EU and Australian governments over the next year to ensure a smooth transition and ultimately the delivery of a deforestation free EU market,” Ms Hallam concluded.
ENDS