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C Story / Binny Varghese

A.B.C.D. E.U.D.R.

Another set of letters that adds T he European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) came into force on June 29, 2023.
Will this regulation be another set of rules, adding to the burden of compliance and
to the burden of the producers or a boon bureaucracy for farmers? Will it just be another instance of greenwashing, with im-
provements only on paper? Could it potentially lead to bribery and delays in payments?
for the sustenance of coffee? Will people simply try to buy their way into compliance? Or will it actually be helpful, particu-
larly for our planet? Could it be the much-needed regulation that prompts other unions and
countries, significant consumers of commodities like coffee, cocoa, leather, chocolate, soy, and
palm oil—linked to deforestation—to take similar action? As one of the major economies and
consumers of these commodities, the European Union, partly responsible for deforestation, is
striving to address the issue, and this regulation is a step in that direction.

Story / Zhoe Zhang Photo / Marcia Yoko Shimosaka

Disclaimer: This article, submitted on February 14th, reflects
information available up to that date. As of the 22nd of March,
developments regarding the agreement reached by EU
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member states in the European Council on legislation con-
cerning corporate obligations may have occurred. Readers
are advised to verify the latest updates on the topic.

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