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The UK government has confirmed that it will move forward with new rules designed to address illegal deforestation in supply chains, with coffee expected to be included within the scope of the legislation. A big triumph for forests and for coffee!
The proposal appears closely aligned with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), including coverage of similar commodities, comparable reporting requirements, and the potential use of geolocation data. The planned £1 million turnover threshold would bring most companies into scope, excluding only the smallest firms.
This is a significant development for forests, producer communities, and the coffee sector. It also reflects a wider shift in market expectations: as major consumer markets strengthen deforestation rules, companies face growing pressure to demonstrate that their supply chains are legal, traceable, and free from deforestation and rights abuses.
For coffee companies, the message is increasingly clear. Deforestation-free supply chains are no longer a voluntary ambition or reputational advantage; they are becoming a baseline requirement for market access, investor confidence, and long-term resilience.
As the UK develops the secondary legislation, regulation should be paired with practical investment. This includes support for smallholder farmers, funding for traceability systems and agroforestry, and meaningful consultation with NGOs, scientists, producer-country experts, and farming communities.
The future of coffee depends on supply chains that protect forests, respect communities, and safeguard the conditions needed for the crop itself to thrive.