Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
387. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what processes have been put in place by his Department to enforce the Regulation on deforestation-free products rules (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5108/24]
View answerRegulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation entered into force on 29 June 2023.
In accordance with Article 14.1 of the Regulation, the European Commission was advised on 29 December 2023 that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine would be the designated Competent Authority in Ireland for the EU Deforestation Regulation.
The Regulation applies to seven commodities: cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and some of their derived products, such as leather, chocolate, tyres, or furniture. A full list of products the Regulation applies to is listed by HS Code in Annex 1 of the Regulation.
Under the Regulation, any operator or trader who places these commodities on the EU market, or exports from it, must be able to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation. The Regulation will become operational on 30 December 2024 with micro and small enterprises having a further six-month adaptation period.
My Department participates in the Multistakeholder Platform on Deforestation, which meets at regular intervals at which the EU Commission, Third Countries, Member States and Stakeholder organisations are all represented. Various issues that arise in preparation for the Regulation becoming operational are discussed at this forum. My Department has also met commodity specific representative organisations.
There are no provisions for a derogation under the legislation that can be provided to any operator or trader. Accordingly, my Department is not aware of any such application.
