The coffee industry is facing challenges in complying with the new European Union law against deforestation. JDE Peet’s, a major coffee company, has highlighted the difficulties in meeting the requirements of the law, which prohibits the import of products linked to deforestation.
The law, set to be enforced by the end of 2024, will require importers to prove that their goods do not contribute to forest destruction or face heavy penalties. However, producer countries such as Indonesia and Brazil have criticized the law for potentially excluding small farmers from accessing the EU market.
Small farmers in remote regions have raised concerns about providing geolocation coordinates to prove their farms are not on deforested land. This has made compliance with the law a challenge for these farmers. To address this issue, JDE Peet’s is partnering with coffee-producing countries to map and monitor their regions through satellite imagery and on-the-ground verification. However, they still need to sign agreements with more countries to ensure continued imports next year.
Many EU member countries have called for a revision or temporary suspension of the law citing difficulties in meeting the requirements within the tight deadline. Despite these efforts, there are ongoing challenges in meeting the requirements of the EU law against deforestation in the coffee industry. The European Commission has expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the industry to address concerns and provide clarity on how to implement this law effectively.
In conclusion, while companies like JDE Peet’s are taking steps towards compliance with the new EU law against deforestation, there are still significant challenges that must be addressed before it can be fully implemented across all segments of
