Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela has ruled out granting Ethiopia an extended deadline to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), arguing that amending Regulation 2023/1115 before it applies would create legal uncertainty and undermine its effectiveness. In a written answer on 10 July 2026 to a question from French MEP Thierry Mariani (Patriots for Europe), Síkela instead outlined a package of technical assistance to help Ethiopia's coffee sector meet the requirements, including support for digital traceability systems and land-use mapping.
Mariani had warned that Ethiopia's five million small-scale coffee producers, many in agroforestry areas, cannot meet the geolocation and traceability deadlines due to insufficient institutional and financial capacity. He asked whether the Commission would grant an extended deadline and how it would mobilise development aid, including under the Global Gateway strategy, given that 30% of Ethiopia's coffee output is exported to the EU.
Síkela's answer contained no new legislative proposal or deadline extension. Instead, he reiterated the Commission's focus on effective implementation and pragmatic solutions through dialogue. He detailed ongoing support: consultations with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), an 'EUDR Preparedness Check' by the European Forest Institute (EFI), repurposing of the EU-Coffee Action for Ethiopia project to support government-led compliance, and new cooperation with the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute for high-resolution mapping and land-use audits linked to the National Rural Land Administration Information System.
The answer signals the Commission's firm stance against reopening the regulation's timeline, prioritising legal predictability for operators. It also confirms a shift toward technical and financial assistance as the primary tool for addressing compliance gaps in partner countries. The impact is most direct on Ethiopian coffee producers and exporters, who face pressure to digitise and certify supply chains without a deadline extension. EU importers and roasters reliant on Ethiopian beans may face supply disruptions if compliance lags. The Commission's approach also affects EU development policy, channelling Global Gateway resources into digital cadastre and traceability infrastructure. No immediate legislative follow-up is expected; the Commission will continue monitoring implementation and may adjust guidance based on on-the-ground experience.