EUDR from a different European perspective

Mr Rui Ludovino is the First Counselor for policies on climate, environment, employment and social issues of the European Union delegation to Vietnam. According to him, the issuance of new regulations from the EU on products that do not cause forest degradation originates from three global environmental crises. The first is climate change, the second is biodiversity loss, and the third is pollution. 

"At the multilateral level, at the level of the United Nations negotiations with the EU and Vietnam and all the other countries in the world, we share the same commitments and the same goals to tackle these challenges," the EU representative said.

He also specifically mentioned the Paris Agreement on climate change under the UNFCCC and global biodiversity. Accordingly, the EU just agreed earlier this year and specifically made a similar commitment. 

"Therefore, we have two commitments to become carbon neutral by 2050. I would like to emphasize and commend Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's commitment during the COP26 meeting in Glasgow, when he said that Vietnam will make efforts to be carbon neutral by 2050", the counsellor added.

Mr Rui Ludovino said that Vietnam, the EU and other countries have signed the Joint Declaration of Leaders on Forests and Land Uses to Stop Deforestation by 2030. At the same time, the EU also signed SDG 15.2 to end deforestation by 2020.

"EUDR comes in this context. We must work together to respond to climate change and stop deforestation. Deforestation causes 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Today we are losing 10 million ha of forest every year and 90% of this forest is used for agricultural purposes. Therefore, we certainly need to work together to prevent deforestation," the EU representative affirmed.

In the context of agricultural development, of course, the parties must continue to produce food and agricultural products. At the same time, it must also make better use of land, restore degraded land and implement more efficient agroforestry systems. 

"We must keep the forest because the forest is essential to our survival. At the same time, we must continue to increase production more efficiently and also respect nature. That's the main message from our side", the EU's first counsellor on climate, environment, employment and social issues policies in Vietnam further clarified. 

According to him, this regulation comes from the EU with the responsibility to be the main consumer of agricultural products. The EU as a major consumer and large importer must also be responsible. That is why the European Union has come to this regulation. 

Regarding the ability to enforce this regulation in Vietnam, the EU representative first affirmed that the European Union highly appreciates Vietnam's positive approach to the EUDR. The EU understand the need for this regulation and works with them to find solutions that are feasible at the local level.

He also appreciated the positive feedback from Vietnam at all levels, including government, private, as well as associations. Thereby, the approach of Vietnam in turning difficulties and challenges into opportunities is very important.

In addition, this counsellor also believes that this regulation will be an opportunity for Vietnam to demonstrate to the world the sustainable development of Vietnamese coffee. This is an important basis for creating livelihoods and improving the lives of farmers and society while responding to the challenge of climate change as well as conserving nature. 

Forests play an important role in the survival of all humanity by maintaining the climate cycle, conserving water and air quality. Forests need to be conserved for the benefit of farmers, farmers cannot live without forests.

"I believe that enforcing these requirements to export to the European market will allow the Vietnamese market to develop evenly and comprehensively. I believe that the EUDR enforcement will be easier after fulfilling the requirements for due diligence and traceability," said Rui Ludovino. 

Accordingly, this process is inevitable and should be applied to the entire Vietnamese market, thereby proving to the world that Vietnam has sustainable and green agriculture, ensuring the global commitments established at the United Nations level.