Coffee farmers urge gov’t to engage EU over deforestation law

HOIMA, December 10, 2024 — Coffee farmers in Bunyoro subregion are urging government to engage with the European Union [EU] regarding the possibility of relaxing the deforestation law, known as the European Union Deforestation Regulation [EUDR].

The farmers made this request during a recent meeting organised by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), aimed at sensitising coffee stakeholders from the districts of Kyankwanzi, Kiboga, Mubende, Kikuube, Hoima, Kagadi, Kibaale, Masindi, Kakumiro, and Hoima City about the EUDR and the ongoing registration of coffee farmers.

On 31 May 2023, the EU Parliament passed Regulation [EU] 2023/1115, prohibiting the entry into the EU of products such as beef, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soybeans, and wood, sourced from land where deforestation occurred after December 31, 2020. The regulation aims to reduce the EU’s impact on deforestation and forest degradation by promoting the consumption of deforestation-free products.

The goals of the EUDR include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating biodiversity loss, ensuring that products entering the EU market are legal, and ensuring that products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation after December 31, 2020.

Although the EUDR entered into force on  June 2, 2023, most obligations were to apply from December 30, 2024. However, following global calls for more time, the deadline has now been extended to December 30 2025, although the new deadline for micro and small enterprises is June 30, 2026.

Hajji Abas Baganda, a coffee farmer from Hoima district, expressed concerns that the EUDR could drive many farmers out of the coffee business.

“Some people plant trees on their land to prevent encroachments. So, if I planted eucalyptus trees for commercial purposes and, after harvesting, I’m told that growing coffee or cocoa on this land will prevent my produce from entering the EU market, this regulation will limit our development,” he said.

He also urged the government to seek alternative markets for Uganda’s coffee, rather than relying solely on the EU market, despite it being a major export destination for the country’s coffee.

The farmer noted that Uganda’s population is growing while land remains limited, forcing private forest owners to clear forests for crops such as coffee and cocoa.

Godfrey Bigabwa, a coffee farmer in Masindi district, suggested that the EUDR should apply only to gazetted forests and not to privately owned land.

Isiah Bingi, a coffee farmer from Kyabambire Sub-county in Hoima district, warned that if the regulation applies to private land, many farmers will be unable to grow coffee, leaving them trapped in poverty.

In response to the farmers’ concerns, Mathew K. Kwikiriza, Regional Manager for the Western Region, assured them that the government is engaging with the EU on the matter. He urged the farmers to comply with the regulation, emphasising that failure to do so could result in Uganda losing access to the valuable coffee and cocoa markets in the EU.

Kwikiriza also highlighted that in the 2023-2024 period, Uganda exported 6.13 million bags of coffee, with most of it entering the EU market.

The government has begun implementing the regulation by registering farmers to ensure traceability,” he said, calling on religious, political leaders, and other stakeholders to mobilise coffee farmers to embrace the registration process.

Israel Sebugenyi, UCDA’s Head of Technology, explained that the government has contracted the private company PULA to register farmers and other coffee value chain actors. He added that farmers would be issued with a coffee ID for traceability, and that registration is free of charge.

Charles Kujura, Senior Production Officer in Hoima district, noted that the registration would not only facilitate traceability but also assist in better planning for coffee farmers.

https://thecooperator.news/eu-council-agrees-to-delay-eudr-implementation-by-one-year/

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