Nigeria faces a risk of losing exports of rubber, palm oil, and other critical commodities unless it complies with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation by December 2025. Experts stress the importance of implementing a traceability system and highlight the need for collaborative efforts to mitigate deforestation beyond just wood and charcoal exports. Comprehensive training sessions are being conducted to equip stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and tools for compliance.
Experts warn that Nigeria risks losing its export markets for critical commodities, including rubber, palm oil, soya beans, wood, beef, cocoa, coffee, and charcoal if it does not comply with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by the new December 31, 2025 deadline. The EU has shifted the implementation date to allow member states time for compliance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
The President of the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants, Florence Omolola Jones-Idowu, highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue during a recent training program at the University of Ibadan. She emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt a robust Central Traceability and Release System, which aligns with local forestry regulations and international certification necessary for EUDR compliance to safeguard its export earnings.
Jones-Idowu noted that while wood and charcoal exports are often blamed for deforestation, other factors such as population growth, agricultural expansion, urbanization, and globalization contribute significantly. She cautioned that the EUDR is broader in scope and extends its impact to all agro-exports, especially products packaged from EUDR-listed commodities, like cartons and paper bags.
In her address to the media, Jones-Idowu illustrated the potential ramifications of non-compliance by noting that even products such as condoms, made from rubber, could be affected, thereby impacting sectors such as health. She urged for collective efforts among stakeholders to prioritize compliance as the December deadline approaches.
Furthermore, the training aimed at familiarizing key stakeholders, including government agencies and NGOs, with the requirements of the EUDR, which is vital for enhancing capacity along the agricultural value chain. Conducted by SCS Global Services, the seminar sought to prepare participants to meet the compliance standards and maintain access to the European market.
The training involved representatives from various government ministries and organizations pertinent to the sectors affected by the EUDR. It was designed to ensure that stakeholders, including farmers and exporters, understand the critical implications of the EUDR to effectively contribute to Nigeria’s capacity-building initiatives in sustainable forestry and agriculture.
In conclusion, Nigeria is on a tight deadline to comply with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, essential for maintaining its exports of crucial commodities. This compliance is not only vital for economic stability but also for ecological sustainability. Stakeholders must actively participate in adapting to these regulations to ensure that Nigeria does not lose its access to the European market and suffers significant economic consequences.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
