In a joint effort, the seven members of the International Coffee Partners (ICP) have united in calling for a postponement in the enforcement of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The rationale behind this plea is to afford smallholder coffee farmers adequate time and resources to align with the regulation’s stipulations.
ICP emphasizes the necessity for a transition phase to be incorporated into the EUDR framework, asserting that such a phase is crucial for enabling smallholder farmers to acquire the requisite technical expertise and knowledge essential for a seamless transition. The member organizations, which include Delta Cafés of Portugal, Franck of Croatia, Joh. Johannson of Norway, Lavazza of Italy, Löfbergs of Sweden, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe of Germany, and Tchibo of Germany, affirm their overarching support for the EUDR’s objectives. They stress the imperative of raising awareness about deforestation issues in producing countries, safeguarding production areas, and channeling investments into reforestation efforts.
However, the coalition underscores the unique challenges faced by smallholder coffee farmers, advocating for tailored provisions to accommodate their circumstances. They emphasize the necessity for accessible data provision systems, a suitable transition period, and additional financial resources to enable compliance with the regulatory framework.
According to a press release issued by ICP, the current timeline of the EUDR, which mandates producers to furnish detailed geodata by the close of 2024, poses a significant risk of exclusion for smallholder coffee farmers from EU markets. The exclusionary outcome is anticipated not due to deforestation practices but rather due to the absence of requisite data.
ICP further contends that the EUDR poses a threat of diminishing smallholders’ incomes and market shares, exacerbating their vulnerability to poverty and hindering their progression towards sustainable agricultural practices. There is a concern that such farmers may divert their sales to non-EU countries, undermining the EUDR’s objective of curbing deforestation risks.
To substantiate their plea, ICP references a readiness assessment conducted in Uganda, revealing the unpreparedness of the country’s coffee producers to comply with the EUDR. The complex nature of Uganda’s coffee supply chain renders tracking the origin of coffee beans challenging, with only approximately 10 percent of Ugandan coffee producers currently possessing traced coffee.
Compliance with the EUDR necessitates the development of an effective traceability system by Ugandan farmers, a process expected to entail years of planning, refinement, and skill enhancement. The establishment and sustenance of such a system entail significant initial investments, along with ongoing financial resources.
ICP underscores the necessity for a streamlined and accessible verification process under the EUDR to facilitate compliance among smallholder coffee farmers. Nevertheless, they assert that even with simplified procedures, these farmers will require sufficient time, technical expertise, and knowledge to adapt to the regulatory requirements.