We, the undersigned organisations, wish to convey our hope that the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) contributes effectively to halting deforestation worldwide, while also strengthening smallholders’ rights and improving their livelihoods.

The geolocation requirement is an essential component of the EU law for holding operators and traders placing products on the European market accountable. Smallholders’ inclusive and transformative traceability systems, which they should have input into, would allow them to own their data, as well as have direct access to a digitalised system.

This will reduce supply chains’ complexity and increase transparency. It is crucial that small scale farmers have a seat at the table when traceability and compliance are discussed, as well as fundamental questions such as possible cost burdens and paying fair purchasing prices. This would allow small scale farmers – the first actors in the supply chain – to make a decent living from their work. With smallholders’ participation, possible compliance challenges and needs, such as technical support, the reduction of intermediaries, need to be assessed. Adequate mitigation measures designed to avoid disengagement also need to be developed.