Technical exchange on deforestation free value chains

Technical exchange on deforestation-free value chains and the EU Deforestation-free Regulation

Participants reviewed guidance from the EU and discussed options for advancing traceability in supply chains. The EUD requires that certain agricultural products placed on the EU market or exported from there be produced on land that has not been subjected to deforestation.

The session focused on traceability aspects and provided Vietnamese stakeholders with an opportunity to address questions and concerns about the EUDR and its implications for their industries. The exchange served as a platform to foster dialogue between the EU and Vietnam on how to align efforts in ensuring sustainable, legally produced, and deforestation-free products for the EU market.

The event brought together more than 200 participants, including technical staff from government agencies, representatives from the private sector, associations from the timber, rubber, and coffee industries, as well as non-state actors.

To Viet Chau, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, "Although the European Commission is considering postponing the date on which EUDR is applied, Vietnam will not delay its preparation and adaptation progress to the regulation’s requirements. This will help the country to be ready to comply with EUD requirements, further strengthening its position as a responsible, transparent, and sustainable agricultural supplier in the international market."

Dr. Rui Ludovino, first counsellor of Climate Action, Environment, Employment and Social Policies at the EUDR to Vietnam, said, "The EUDR was initially set to be applied from this December but may now be postponed until December next year for large operators and June 2026 for small- and medium-sized operators. With the proposed extra 12 months of preparation, the EU wants to make sure that all businesses, third countries, and other stakeholders have more time to prepare."

The European Commission considers an additional 12-months to phase in the system is a balanced solution to support operators around the world in securing a smooth implementation from the start. The proposed extension in no way puts into question the objectives or the substance of the law, as agreed by the EU co-legislators.

The EU remains committed to supporting Vietnam’s stakeholders by providing the necessary tools and insights to navigate the EUDR framework, which is essential for global efforts to minimise deforestation and forest degradation. The EU will use this extra time to further support third countries and other partners and continue implementing ongoing dialogue and cooperation projects, which focus on legality, traceability, and inclusivity of smallholders, among others.

The EUD to Vietnam works closely with Vietnamese partners to facilitate communication and dialogue surrounding the EUDR. The Vietnamese government, at both central and local levels, is preparing and supporting its stakeholders to enhance deforestation-free and legal supply chains in line with the EU and Vietnam’s joint international objectives on climate and biodiversity.

The EUD to Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have organised several meetings and information exchanges related to the implementation of EUDR requirements in Vietnam. An initial technical exchange co-chaired by the EUD to Vietnam and the ministry last March was followed by further outreach events in June.

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