MEP Sebastian Kruis (PfE) has asked the European Commission to reassess the product scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), citing a new peer-reviewed study that shows cocoa and coffee contribute only 2% and 1% respectively to global commodity-driven deforestation, while cattle meat accounts for 42%. The written question, submitted on 13 July 2026, challenges the proportionality of the regulation's compliance burdens on producers, SMEs, importers, and consumers, including partner countries with EU trade agreements.
The question references a Nature Food study by Singh and Persson (2026) covering 2001–2022 data, which found that oil palm and soy each cause 16% of deforestation, and forest plantations 14%. Kruis argues that maintaining cocoa and coffee within the EUDR's scope imposes unnecessary economic and political costs given their negligible impact. He asks the Commission to justify keeping these commodities in the regulation and whether it will consider removing them to reduce burdens.
The MEP also seeks confirmation that the Commission still intends to proceed with EUDR implementation. The Commission typically has six weeks to respond; its answer will signal whether it is open to narrowing the regulation's scope based on new scientific evidence. The question reflects a tension between environmental ambition and trade pragmatism, pitting the EU's deforestation goals against the administrative and cost burdens on smallholders and importing countries.