The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Forestry (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) organized a workshop today on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) preparedness check for the coffee and commercial forestry sectors in Vietnam.

Delegates at the workshop on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) preparedness check for the coffee and commercial forestry sectors in Vietnam. (Photo: UNDP)

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and stakeholders have proactively aligned with the EUDR by developing and issuing an Action Plan Framework for EUDR Compliance. This framework provides comprehensive guidance to national and provincial institutions, ensuring practical actions are developed to support operators' due diligence processes.

The workshop highlighted Vietnam's efforts, particularly in the coffee and commercial forestry sectors, and provided practical insights for aligning action plans with EUDR requirements. Critical discussions covered data sharing, standardized methodologies for zero deforestation, legality analysis, and smallholder support.

Some countries' experiences were also presented. Peru's national farmer registry includes GPS points for over 2 million registered farmers to collect 500,000 polygons by December 2024 for coffee and cocoa producers. Farmers use a self-description app to add information regarding land tenure, plantation year, and production data, supporting future traceability systems.

Indonesia's SatuData platform provides various land use and land change maps linked to a new traceability web for palm oil, making data and methodologies accessible for due diligence.

Both Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana have established national cocoa traceability systems with unique farmer IDs and plot polygons, supporting quality control, extension services, and compliance checks through digitized chain of custody information.

UNDP has partnered with Lavazza and Silva Cacao in Ecuador and Costa Rica to pilot sustainable, deforestation-free coffee and cocoa production. This initiative involves creating a comprehensive plan for traceability, implementing national no-deforestation policies, developing trade agreements, ensuring fair prices for farmers, and promoting sustainable practices.

The workshop was part of the "Integrated sustainable landscape management through deforestation-free jurisdiction project in Lam Dong and Dak Nong, Vietnam" (iLandscape), funded by the EU. (Photo: UNDP)

Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam, said, "The findings of the preparedness check will guide us in strengthening our strategies and actions, ensuring that Vietnam remains a leader in sustainable and deforestation-free production."

He also highlighted that "As we move forward, several key areas require our focused attention. Firstly, the sharing of data and maps is essential. We need to establish clear protocols on how the government will share data and maps with operators, including the platforms to be used and the types of data that can be shared.

Secondly, we need to develop standardized methodologies for zero deforestation and risk analysis.

Thirdly, the analysis of legality is equally important, and lastly, we must focus on supporting smallholders who may face multiple challenges. It is crucial to provide these smallholders with the necessary resources and knowledge to comply with EUDR standards without disproportionately impacting their livelihoods."

At the workshop, Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Forestry Department, emphasized that this is the time when the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Commodities is approaching very soon. The wood and coffee industries and rubber industries are the three industries in Vietnam most affected by the EUDR regulations.

To implement EUDR in Vietnam, in addition to land policies, sustainable agricultural and forestry development according to the value chain to meet the standards and requirements of the domestic and export markets, it requires management capacity and an interdisciplinary and synchronous approach of management agencies, stakeholders as well as the participation of businesses, suppliers, farmers, and communities.