Vietnam is ready and will take an appropriate approach to adopt the European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), according to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan.

The regulation was approved by the European Parliament on May 16, 2023 and will take effect from December, 2024.

Under the regulation, 100% of certain agricultural products in Vietnam, especially coffee, when imported into the European market, must provide GPS coordinates of land used as well as product traceability, according to Ms. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director General of the Environment Department of the European Commission. This information will determine if deforestation is an issue by using remote sensing monitoring systems.

Speaking at a conference on “Deforestation-free coffee production and supply in compliance with European Union regulations” in Hanoi on June 29, she said 90 per cent of global deforestation is caused by agriculture.

“As a large consumer market, the EU realizes its crucial role in the problem,” she said. “That’s why the EU recently announced the EUDR, to combat deforestation. Due diligence obligations and traceability requirements will be applied rigorously, without discrimination, on all products involved.”

Minister Hoan said the adoption of the regulation will not only meet export requirements for agricultural products but also represent an opportunity for Vietnam’s agricultural industry to develop towards transparent, responsible, sustainable, and green growth.