- Clear and Understandable Guidelines: Anafric urges that clear and easily understood guidelines be established for the correct implementation of the regulation, thus facilitating its compliance by all the actors involved.
- Public-Private Collaboration: The need for close collaboration between the public and private sectors is highlighted, especially so that operators and traders, with a special emphasis on SMEs, can effectively comply with the provisions of the regulation.
- Impact on the Beef Sector: Anafric warns that the regulation could have a significant negative impact on the beef sector due to its high bureaucratic burden and the consequent economic impact. The association underlines the importance of considering these effects in the legislative process.
- Working Group of Experts: Anafric considers it imperative to create a joint working group of experts to facilitate the implementation of the legislation, ensuring that the measures adopted are viable and effective.
- Disproportionate Effort: The EUDR will require a huge effort by the beef sector to demonstrate that it does not come from deforestation areas, which Anafric considers a disproportionate measure in difficult times. The association points out that this additional burden cannot be imposed on farmers, traders and meat producers without adequate support.
- Existing Traceability: Anafric argues that the traceability control system in place since the beginning of the 21st century already allows for the necessary control to be guaranteed, suggesting that the current approach is sufficient to meet the objectives of the regulation.
Finally, Anafric explains that greater leadership is needed from the competent Spanish authorities to thoroughly analyse the application of the regulation and ensure its effective and fair implementation. The association reiterates its commitment to sustainability and the fight against deforestation, but insists on the need for a balanced and realistic approach.
About Regulation (EU) 2013/1115 (EUDR):
Objective of the Regulation: Regulation (EU) 2013/1115, known as EUDR, has as its main objective to combat deforestation and forest degradation associated with the marketing of certain raw materials and products in the European Union. It seeks to ensure that products sold on the EU market do not contribute to global deforestation.
Products Affected: The EUDR applies to a specific list of raw materials and products that have a high risk of being linked to deforestation, such as soy, palm oil, rubber, cocoa, coffee and beef, as well as some derivatives of these products.
Due Diligence Requirements: Companies marketing these products in the EU must comply with strict due diligence requirements. This includes the obligation to trace the origin of the products and ensure that they do not come from deforested land. Companies must collect and verify information about the supply chain and carry out risk assessments to ensure compliance with the regulation.
Traceability Obligations: To comply with the EUDR, companies must provide evidence of the traceability of products, demonstrating that they were obtained legally and sustainably. This involves collecting detailed geographical data and implementing systems that allow products to be traced from their origin to the point of sale in the EU.
Sanctions and Compliance: The regulation establishes control measures and sanctions to ensure compliance. EU Member States are responsible for monitoring and enforcing the regulation, including carrying out inspections and imposing sanctions on companies that fail to comply with due diligence and traceability obligations. Sanctions can include significant fines and bans on the marketing of non-compliant products.
