Vietnam is ramping up its efforts to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This continued progress and momentum comes as the European Commission announced an additional 12-month phase-in period* for the enforcement of the regulation. This phase-in period should not signal a slow-down in efforts, but rather time for continued collaboration between stakeholders to ensure an inclusive compliance.
On October 2, 2024, a significant technical meeting was held in Hanoi, co-hosted by the Netherlands Embassy and Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), presented by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LLVN) and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The event, attended by over 50 in-person and 250 online participants, brought together stakeholders to discuss Vietnam’s readiness for EUDR compliance.
The meeting’s agenda covered key challenges, opportunities, and action plans. It gave clear guidance on the due diligence process and requirements for coffee to enter the Dutch border when the EUDR is officially implemented. It highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure that Vietnam’s agricultural supply chains meet the EUDR’s strict requirements.
Ingrid Korving, Agricultural Counsellor at the Netherlands Embassy, emphasized the strong partnership between Vietnam and the Netherlands, especially in sustainable agriculture, as both countries work to establish deforestation-free supply chains. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, General Director of MARD’s International Cooperation Department, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting businesses in meeting EUDR requirements. The Crop Production Department (CPD) outlined its efforts to build a national database, traceability systems, and mitigation measures and tackle issues like fragmented land use.
The national database system pilot, implemented by IDH and supported by the Dutch Sustainable Landscape program (ISLA) with contributions from coffee companies like JDE Peets, has received high praise. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has successfully evaluated the pilot and plans to scale it at the national level for both the coffee and rubber sectors.
With this pilot, set to be completed in a month to cover 20% of coffee areas, a robust data platform, data collection tool, and protocol have been developed for scaling at the sector level. This shows a strong willingness of the Vietnamese government and coffee companies to seek viable solutions for EUDR compliance.
The meeting also featured a Q&A session, led by Ms. Tran Quynh Chi, Sourcing Director at IDH, which allowed stakeholders to express concerns and seek guidance. The careful selection of questions ensured a productive discussion, covering a broad range of compliance and mitigation-related topics.
*EU Commission Press Release on strengthening support for EU Deforestation Regulation implementation and proposes extra 12 months of phasing-in time.