This report presents key findings and recommendations from a review of case studies of early EUDR readiness and impact assessment. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and support organizations that will help to ensure effective implementation.
The EUDR has significant potential benefits in the form of reduced deforestation and greater supply chain transparency. Implementation challenges remain, especially for smallholders, including traceability requirements, compliance costs, and inconsistencies in legal definitions. The studies also identify the solution pathways to overcome them.
Harmonized monitoring and collective learning are crucial in order to draw lessons from the EUDR’s implementation and improve its effectiveness.
Insights into specific regional challenges in producer countries can help donor organizations and support programmes tailor their assistance to those areas where it is most needed. Preventing negative consequences and addressing unintended impacts, while maximizing positive trends and best practices, requires timely interventions. An assessment on the needs and impacts of smallholders should therefore not wait five years: continuous and harmonized system for monitoring on-the-ground impacts are needed for timely interventions.
Collective action is needed. Our recommendations are:
- Embed impact assessments and monitoring in the EUDR framework to support collective learning and targeted support.
- Organize a consolidated effort for continuous monitoring across selected supply chains and in the producer countries and their focal landscapes.
- Provide dedicated and targeted funding to monitor impacts over time in selected landscapes; and
- Develop guidance to promote a harmonized and robust approach to impact assessment.
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