{"id":663679,"date":"2026-06-29T03:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T03:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/663679\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T03:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T03:04:15","slug":"uk-aligns-deforestation-due-diligence-with-the-eudr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/663679\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Aligns Deforestation Due Diligence with the EUDR"},"content":{"rendered":"

The United Kingdom, the world\u2019s second-largest net importer of forest products<\/a>, will introduce a mandatory due diligence framework for imported commodities that aligns with the core scope of the European Union\u2019s deforestation regulation, sparing businesses that trade into the bloc a second set of compliance rules. That is according to Nature Minister Mary Creagh, who announced the plan during London Climate Action Week<\/a> last week.<\/p>\n

Under the proposals, traceability and compliance duties would apply to imports of cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, and soy, as well as to derived products such as chocolate and wooden furniture. Businesses trading these commodities would need to check that their supply chains carry no link to illegal forest clearance, a requirement the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has applied to timber under the UK Timber Regulation<\/a> since 2013.<\/p>\n

Aligning the two regimes is designed to prevent administrative duplication across the UK and to keep British exporters in step with the EU, given that the EU Deforestation Regulation is set to apply to large operators from 30 December 2026. In addition, Northern Ireland will follow the regulation in phases from the same date under the Windsor Framework, which preserves its access to both the UK internal market and the EU single market.<\/p>\n

As it stands, UK consumption of forest-risk commodities was linked to 29,000 hectares of deforestation \u2014 an area about one and a half times the size of Manchester \u2014 and 9.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023, according to Defra, which estimates that 90 per cent of global forest loss stems from agricultural expansion. It comes as major supermarket chains have pressed for binding rules for several years, arguing that voluntary action alone cannot sever those supply chains from forest destruction.<\/p>\n

Great Britain\u2019s rules would target illegal deforestation, a narrower test than the EU\u2019s deforestation-free standard, though Defra has said it intends to move toward the stricter benchmark over time. That gap leaves suppliers of cocoa, coffee and timber facing two thresholds across the UK and the EU until the regimes fully converge.<\/p>\n

Creagh said tackling deforestation ranked among the most effective ways to address climate change and to protect rare wildlife. \u201cWe are leading by example and scrutinising our own supply chains,\u201d Creagh said.<\/p>\n

Domestic retailers had pushed for rules that track the EU approach, and the British Retail Consortium welcomed the move as a way to spare members the cost and complexity of duplicating EU rules. \u201cRetailers welcome today\u2019s announcement,\u201d said Andrew Opie, the consortium\u2019s director of food and sustainability, who urged a pragmatic approach to enforcement once EUDR duties are applied in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

Global Witness deputy director Alexandria Reid said the government\u2019s years-long delay had worsened global forest loss and pressed ministers to extend the rules to all deforestation, not only illegal clearance. Britain\u2019s regime is being built to match an EU law that binds large and medium operators from 30 December 2026 and the smallest firms from 30 June 2027.<\/p>\n

\"MASTER <\/p>\n

Wood Central is Australia\u2019s first and only dedicated platform covering wood-based media across all digital platforms. Our vision is to develop an integrated platform for media, events, education, and products that connect, inform, and inspire the people and organisations who work in and promote forestry, timber, and fibre.<\/p>\n


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