JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia, Malaysia and the European Union will formulate a practical guide to EU deforestation rules (EUDR) for smallholders by November, an intergovernmental group representing palm oil producers said on Friday.
The European Commission earlier this month proposed delaying implementation of the EUDR, which will ban imports of commodities linked to deforestation, following calls from industries and governments around the world.
The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) said in a statement that the EU, Indonesia, and Malaysia would work together on recommendations and a practical guide for smallholders and small businesses in the palm oil, coffee, rubber, timber, and cocoa sectors to prepare them for the EUDR.
CPOPC is an intergovernmental organisation for palm oil producing countries, including the world’s biggest palm oil producer Indonesia, Malaysia and Honduras.
The EUDR will require companies importing soy, beef, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, timber, rubber and related products to prove their supply chains do not contribute to the destruction of the world’s forests, or face hefty fines.
Indonesia has said previously the rules will impose onerous administrative procedures on smallholders and exclude them from the global supply chain.
(Reporting by Bernadette Christina; Editing by Mark Potter)
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