Administrative burden for SMEs resulting from implementation of the EUDR
12.9.2024
Question for written answer E-001689/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)
The new EU Deforestation Regulation[1] (EUDR) will place a significant administrative burden on businesses in the food, agriculture and trade sectors, despite the fact that in Czechia and other EU countries deforestation for food production is not an issue. From 30 December 2024, companies dealing in coffee, chocolate, soy, palm oil, beef and related products will need to issue an electronic certificate of due diligence against deforestation for each shipment, including land identification. As the required IT system will not be ready until December, businesses fear supply chain disruptions and penalties for non-compliance. Therefore, the Czech Food Chamber is requesting a two-year delay in implementing the Regulation.
- 1.How will the Commission help thousands of small and medium-sized European businesses comply with the EUDR when they will only have a few days or weeks to connect to the Commission’s IT system?
- 2.Is the Commission prepared to delay the implementation of the EUDR to prevent small and medium-sized businesses from being excluded from supply chains?
- 3.Does the Commission realise that small businesses are an integral part of supply chains, that the Regulation impacts them much more heavily, and that they need much more time to implement new regulations than large companies?
Submitted: 12.9.2024
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1115/oj.