Within the framework of the 136th Exhibition of Livestock, Agriculture and Industry organized by the Argentine Rural Society, the XLVII Ordinary Meeting of the Southern Agricultural Council (CAS) was held, in which it was agreed to issue a declaration requesting the European Union to postpone the implementation of the Regulation (EU) 2023 / 1115 which requires the export of “deforestation-free” soybeans and meat to that destination starting in 2025. The request will be formally submitted by means of a letter addressed to the European Commission.
The proposal was raised at the Council's regular meeting, which was attended by the national Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. ArgentinaSergio Iraeta; the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Uruguay, Fernando Mattos; the Minister of Agriculture of Chile, Esteban Valenzuela; the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil, Cléber Oliveira Soares; the Director of Livestock of Paraguay, César Duarte; and the Director of Livestock Production, Aquaculture and Fisheries of the Ministry of Rural Development and Lands of Paraguay. Bolivia, Víctor Hilari, and the Executive Secretary of the Southern Agricultural Council, Gabriel Delgado. The meeting took place within the framework of the rural exhibition in Buenos Aires, organized by the Argentine Rural Society (SRA).
The meeting allowed for exchanges between countries in the region on various issues of common interest, with the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free supply chains being a highlight on the agenda, the Ministry of Agriculture reported.
In particular, in a joint statement to be formally presented by letter to the European Commission, the representatives expressed their concern by arguing that This regulation may have "a negative impact” on international trade y They expressed doubts about its compatibility with their obligations under the World Trade Organization.
In this regard, they highlighted the region's leadership in the adoption of good agricultural production practices and technologies to improve agro-industrial production.
"They pointed out that global problems require global solutions, and that there are no single solutions, for which it is essential to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation, where any measure must be based on solid scientific foundations and adapted to local realities within the framework of national legislation," the statement said.
It is recalled that in June 2023, the Regulation came into force to prevent imports into the European Union of certain "relevant raw materials, cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soybeans and wood cause deforestation in third countries, with an 18-month period (until 30 December 2024) for operators and traders to prepare.
Companies importing these raw materials and derived products into the European Union will have to trace their origin and issue a “due diligence declaration” guaranteeing that they have not caused deforestation in their places of origin compared to 2020.
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