Vietnam strives to implement EUDR in the coffee and wood industries

The purpose of the workshop is to update the latest information on EUDR and discuss the results of the review and assessment of readiness to implement EUDR conducted at both national and provincial levels.

Delegates attending the Workshop reviewed the level of readiness to implement the European Union's anti-deforestation regulations (EUDR) for the coffee and wood industries in Vietnam. (Source: UNDP)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and relevant stakeholders in Vietnam have proactively adapted to EUDR through developing and promulgating an Action Plan Framework to comply with this regulation. This action framework provides comprehensive guidance for national and provincial organizations, ensuring practical actions are taken to support due diligence processes.

The workshop highlighted Vietnam's efforts in the EUDR implementation process, especially in the coffee and wood sectors, and provided practical information to support action plans according to the requirements of the regulation. EUDR regulations.

Besides discussing data sharing, analytical methods, legality and support for small farmers, delegates discussed the experiences of several countries. For example, Peru's national farmer ID system includes GPS points for more than 2 million registered farmers, with a goal of collecting 500.000 polygons by December 12 for coffee and coffee producers. cocoa. Farmers use the self-descriptive app to add information on land tenure, planting year and production data, supporting future traceability systems.

Indonesia's national platform SatuData provides multiple maps of land use and land change, linked to a new traceability website for palm oil, helping parties access this data and methods for explanation purpose.

Ivory Coast and Ghana have both established national cocoa traceability systems with farmer codes and cocoa garden polygons, supporting quality control, extension services and compliance checks. through digitized custody chain information.

In Ecuador and Costa Rica, UNDP has partnered with Lavazza and Silva Cacao to pilot sustainable, deforestation-free coffee and cocoa production. This initiative includes creating a comprehensive traceability plan, implementing national deforestation policies, establishing trade agreements, ensuring fair prices for farmers and promote sustainable practices.

The workshop is an activity of the project "Comprehensive sustainable landscape management through the approach of sustainable development without causing deforestation in Lam Dong and Dak Nong, Vietnam" (iLandscape project) by the Alliance European sponsorship. (Source: UNDP)

“The findings of the readiness assessment will inform strategies and actions, ensuring that Vietnam remains a go-to country,” said Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam. leader in sustainable production and does not cause deforestation".

According to him, “first of all, sharing data and maps is essential. We need to establish clear protocols for how the government will share data and maps with the parties, including the platforms that will be used and the types of data that can be shared.

Second, we need to develop analytical methods for deforestation, deforestation, and risk analysis.

Third, legality analysis is equally important, and finally, we must focus on supporting smallholders who are facing many challenges. It is important to provide smallholders with the necessary resources and knowledge to comply with EUDR standards without unduly impacting their livelihoods.”

Concluding the workshop, Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Forestry Department, emphasized that this is the time when EUDR regulations are coming very close, in which the wood and coffee industries along with rubber are three industries in Vietnam that are affected. biggest impact.

To implement EUDR in Vietnam, in addition to land policy regulations, sustainable agricultural and forestry development along the value chain that meets the standards and requirements of the domestic and export markets requires energy. management force and interdisciplinary and synchronized approach of management agencies, stakeholders as well as the participation of businesses, suppliers, farmers and communities.