Today, Coffee Watch delivered a letter to relevant Members of the European Parliament urging them to stand firm in defending the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) against continued pressure from industry lobby groups.
In February, Coffee Watch published a watershed paper highlighting how European and German coffee lobby groups attempted to derail the EUDR, citing feasibility issues.
In contrast to statements from the lobby groups they are members of, numerous leading coffee companies—4C, Dallmayr, illycaffé, JDE Peet’s, Lavazza, Louis Dreyfus Company, Nestlé, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Olam, Melitta, and Tchibo—have recently explicitly affirmed their readiness to comply with the EUDR and their support for its objectives.
For example:
- Nestlé states it has never called for delay and that 93.5% of key supply chains were already deforestation-free by end of 2024.
- Neumann Kaffee Gruppe says it is ready to import EUDR-aligned coffee and has invested in due diligence systems exceeding EUDR requirements.
- Lavazza has built its own deforestation-checking system to ensure full compliance by the legislated deadline.
The notion that this regulation is unworkable is being pushed by a narrow subset of actors who do not represent the broader industry—and who are trying to avoid accountability.
Coffee Watch argues that attempts to weaken or delay the EUDR threaten to undermine the EU’s leadership on environmental protection and sustainable supply chains.
We urge MEPs to reject any weakening, delays, or exemptions to the EUDR. This is a landmark regulation that protects forests and rewards producers committed to sustainable practices. Rolling it back now would be a gift to bad actors and a blow to the planet.
Download the full letter and reach out to your MEP.