Empowering Global Sustainability: Why the EU Must Embrace Certification Efforts in Developing Nations

Pierre Bois d’Enghien | 6th June 2024 | Comment

European Union, 2023 - Source: EP - Margaux D'Herckers

The EU Deforestation Regulation burdens developing nations, but Malaysia's MSPO certification offers a solution.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been the subject of much debate – and criticism – from countries exporting the commodities affected, including rubber, coffee, cocoa, palm oil and soy. Almost all of these commodities are produced in the developing world – in southeast Asia, subSaharan Africa and Latin America. The scale of the challenge facing poor farmers in these regions is now being revealed. Some estimates show, as just one example, that 500,000 data points could now be required for every single shipment of Malaysian palm oil heading to the European Union. For large companies that is a huge task of bureaucracy, process, staff time, and money. For many small farmers in these countries, it could be all but impossible. Around the commodity-exporting world, the same question is being asked by companies and cooperatives, and by planters and politicians: how can we comply with EUDR in the cheapest and most efficient manner? Malaysia may have the answer. On behalf of the Malaysi...

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