Coffee growers will struggle to adhere to the European Union’s deforestation law

Coffee growers are facing challenges in adhering to the new European Union law against deforestation. JDE Peet’s, a major coffee company, has highlighted the difficulty 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.

Producer countries such as Indonesia and Brazil have criticized the law for potentially excluding small farmers from accessing the EU market. The requirement for farmers to provide geolocation coordinates to prove their farms are not on deforested land has raised concerns about the feasibility of compliance, especially for farmers in remote regions.

JDE Peet’s is working to comply with the law by partnering with coffee-producing countries to map and monitor their regions through satellite imagery and on-the-ground verification. However, the company still needs 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.

The European Commission has expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the industry to address concerns and provide clarity on the law’s implementation. Despite efforts by companies like JDE Peet’s, there are ongoing challenges in meeting the requirements of the EU law against deforestation in the coffee industry.