UK companies are set to face new rules to ensure their sourcing practices do not contribute to “illegal deforestation”, the country’s government said today (23 June).
The UK government said it plans to take forward new rules in Great Britain including using powers in the country’s Environment Act alongside legislation strengthening the UK Timber Regulation.
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Under the proposals, which will go out for consultation, UK businesses that trade in commodities sourced from rainforests such as soy and coffee will need to check their supply chains are not contributing to illegal deforestation.
Mary Creagh, the UK’s Nature Minister, said: “Eliminating products linked to illegal deforestation not only helps to protect precious ecosystems but is good for our collective resilience and long-term prosperity.”
The British Retail Consortium, the principal trade body for the UK retail sector, said its members had been calling for regulation.
Andrew Opie, the BRC’s director of food and sustainability, said the move was “an important step in driving forest conservation across retail supply chains in line with business commitments, while supporting alignment with the EU where possible to avoid unnecessary costs and complexity for retailers and their customers”.
Across the English Channel, businesses operating in the EU are preparing for the introduction of the bloc’s own regulation – known as EUDR – that has been drawn up to try tackle deforestation.
EUDR, first presented in 2021, was originally due to apply from 30 December 2024. Under pressure from member states, third countries and some businesses, the EU announced in December 2023 it would delay the implementation of the legislation by a year to 30 December 2025.
In December last year, the introduction of EUDR was pushed back by another 12 months. EU states endorsed a fresh delay after industry pressure and concerns over the readiness of the IT infrastructure needed to enforce the law.
The EU also made “a targeted revision” of EUDR to address concerns raised by national governments and stakeholders about the “administrative burden” of the new legislation.
The change “streamlines” due diligence obligations and pushes back the application of the rules to 30 December 2026, with “an extra six-month cushion for micro and small operators”.
To maintain Northern Ireland’s dual market access to the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market, EUDR will apply in Northern Ireland in phases from 30 December, the UK government said.
The plans propose the new rules for Great Britain will cover “the same core commodities and underlying information requirements as the regulation in Northern Ireland”, it added.
“This aligned approach is designed to prevent administrative duplication across the UK while helping British exporters to the EU meet consistent data and traceability standards. Businesses in Northern Ireland are encouraged to begin preparations now,” the UK government said.
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said the UK government had confirmed EUDR will apply to “relevant cattle and beef products produced and traded in Northern Ireland”.
Lucas Daglish, the BMPA’s sustainability manager, said: “The Government’s intention to ensure that information required under UK deforestation regulations broadly mirrors EUDR due diligence requirements where possible is particularly welcome, as it should help minimise duplication and reduce administrative burdens for businesses trading in both markets.
“However, significant questions remain about how the regulation will operate in practice, particularly regarding movements of cattle and beef between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Detailed guidance will be essential to allow processors, producers and exporters sufficient time to adapt their systems, contracts and supply chains ahead of implementation.”
Gavin Crowden, director of advocacy at WWF, added: “The UK government has warned that the collapse of tropical forests in places like the Amazon and Indonesia is a national security risk, not just an environmental one. We rely on these forests for food and climate stability, and they’re home to extraordinary wildlife. With new rules finally coming into force in Northern Ireland at the end of the year, there is no excuse for further delay that would leave shoppers in the rest of the UK still unwittingly driving the destruction of the rainforest.”
