The EU Deforestation Regulation: Policy Implications and Research Frontiers

Co-organized by IFPRI, CGIAR, and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

In June 2023, the European Union (EU) adopted its Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR)—a landmark policy designed to reduce global deforestation and forest degradation driven by EU consumption. Under the regulation, key commodities with the biggest impacts on deforestation—soy, cattle, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, wood, and natural rubber—cannot be placed on the EU market or exported unless they are free of deforestation and legally produced.

Join us for this virtual event convening policymakers, development practitioners, researchers, and industry representatives to discuss the strategic implications of the EUDR and address critical implementation questions that will inform its success, with a particular focus on rural economies and smallholder agriculture.

As countries and companies prepare for EUDR implementation, this seminar will examine how they can seize upon opportunities and mitigate risks associated with it. Leading voices from government, research, industry, and civil society will discuss how to ensure equitable and inclusive production aligned with EUDR requirements across diverse production systems, and how to address knowledge and technology gaps to support data-driven, smallholder-friendly solutions.

Moderator Welcome Remarks

Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, IFPRI

Setting the Scene

Rationale and Scope of the EUDR: Lisa Kirfel-Rühle, Deputy Head of Division 122 Agriculture, Rural Development, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Global Deforestation Trends & Outlook, and Key Considerations Arising from EUDR Implementation: Beria Leimona, Theme Leader, Climate Change, Energy and Low-Carbon Development, The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)

National and Regional Frameworks for reaching zero deforestation

Considerations for Mercosur Countries: Valeria Piñeiro, Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), IFPRI
China’s Efforts to Source Zero Deforestation Soybeans from Brazil: Kevin Chen, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI

MRV Frameworks, Use of Digital Tools and Focus on Inclusion

Inclusive Pathways for Smallholders in Deforestation-Free Supply Chains: Izzana Salleh, Secretary General, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC)
Identification of Production Origin and Public Verification for Deforestation – Free Agricultural Supply Chains in Colombia: Sandra Durango, Postdoctoral Fellow, Alliance Bioversity and CIAT

For more information, please access The EU Deforestation Regulation: Policy Implications and Research Frontiers | IFPRI.

Event date:

14/10/2025

15:30-17:00 (CEST)

Location:

Languages:

English

Related concepts:

EUDR

Geographical Focus:

Global

Link to external website:

Link

Upcoming Highlight Events

of the Team Europe Initiative for deforestation-free supply chains.
More information coming soon

COP30 - TEI High-Level Side-Event
19 November 2025

Building partnerships and solutions for deforestation-free value chains. Join us to discover how the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Deforestation-Free Value Chains is turning commitments into concrete actions for deforestation-free production.

Altamira Summit
03.-07.11. 2025

From 3 to 7 November 2025, TEI flagships and their project partners from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe will gather in Altamira, Pará, Brazil, to foster dialogue, knowledge transfer, and networking among regions, sectors, and initiatives. The aim is to learn from each other and collaborate on deforestation-free value chains.

Eurotrip for Asian Partners
20.04.-24.04.2026

The trip will facilitate an exchange between EUDR implementing partners from African countries and key European stakeholders involved in the operationalisation of the EU-Regulation to clarify questions and build mutual understanding and partnerships.

Region:

Luwero, Nakaseke, Kassanda, Mubende, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Omoro, and Nwoya

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, traders, state and non state actors, and processors

Key activities:

Capacity building of smallholder coffee farmers in production practices and sustainable land use management.
Establishing traceability system and facilitating access to sustainable financing
Facilitate inclusive business partnerships between producer organizations and supply chain actors
Promote multi-stakeholder cooperation

Commodities:

Region:

Huánuco, Ucayali, Pasco and Junín

Target group:

Public and private stakeholders, especially exporting companies, cooperatives and smallholder producers

Key activities:

Strengthen the supply chains to meet EUDR requirements
Facilitate access to sustainable finance and knowledge exchange
Training of smallholders to sustainable manage their production systems

Commodities:

Region:

Ngozi and Kayanza

Target group:

Smallholders

Key activities:

Training on the use of traceability tools and support on collection of geolocation data for EUDR compliance
Support the development of a national coffee sector dashboard for traceability and transparency
Capacity building of smallholder coffee farmers in production practices and sustainable land use management.

Commodities:

Region:

Centre, South West, Littoral, South, East and West regions

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, women, youth, and indigenous peoples

Key activities:

Develop inclusive business partnerships with the private sector
Facilitate access to finance for sustainable business models
Support and train farmers in open-source traceability systems
Promote multistakeholder dialogues to improve legal and regulatory provisions

Commodities:

Region:

(Lower) Kafue Catchment Ecosystem

Target group:

Farmers and community forest management groups

Key activities:

Support community forest management groups in the
sustainable management of natural resources and livelihood creation
Support farmers to produce soy in line with the EUDR and increase productivity, and implement transparency and traceability pilots

Commodities:

Region:

Lampung, West Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, private sector, and civil society organizations along the value chains

Key activities:

Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Farmer Organizations by facilitating traceability and legality, building capacity on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), and strengthening farmer organizations, ensuring inclusive support for both men and women farmers.
Promoting sustainable practices and collaboration by supporting village HCV/HCS conservation efforts, testing and strengthening the National Dashboard for traceability and legality, and fostering national and regional exchanges.

Commodities:

Region:

Son La, Gia Lai

Target group:

Smallholder farmers and marginalized groups

Key activities:

Support coffee value chain actors
Foster deforestation-free, sustainable, and legal supply chains

Commodities:

Region:

Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, Salonga National Park North, Salonga National Park South, Virunga National Park, Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-free Value Chains

Event date:

Location:

Languages:

Related concepts:

Geographical Focus:

Link to external website:

Link

Upcoming Highlight Events

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Global activities