The European Union is once again preparing to delay implementation of its deforestation regulations, creating an opportunity for regulatory relief for countries like the United States. erin Borror, Vice President of Economic Analysis with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, explained that “the delay gives more time for regulatory relief for countries like the US that have little to no deforestation risk.”
Borror emphasized the importance of continued pressure within Europe to simplify the rules. “It’s important that there is continued push back within the EU or maybe continued mentioning that simplification is needed, and specifically, for example, for a zero or negligible risk category that actually results in lesser requirements, less burden for those countries,” he said. He noted that leadership from countries like Germany and Sweden is pushing for “true simplification.”
For the United States, recent trade discussions have been critical. “We know in the US-EU joint statement that the EU recognizes the US as negligible risk and essentially committed to not have undue damage done to our trade because of EDR,” Borror stated. He added that the U.S. Trade Representative “worked very diligently, and they have continued. The US government has continued to raise this issue, including in the WTO forums.”
Borror also pointed out that the U.S. is not alone in its concerns. “There are many countries that continue to raise concerns about the EU DR,” he said, stressing that the regulation was a specific point noted in the U.S.-EU agreement. He concluded that “the simplification that may get proposed going forward in a way could help meet what looks like was committed between the US and the EU.”
For additional details, visit the U.S. Meat Export Federation at usmef.org.
