Beyond the different points of view on whether or not local actors agree with what the European Regulation says, it was approved and if they want to continue exporting to Europe, they will have to prepare to comply with it, with only 18 months left.
For Brazil, Europe represents 1% of its exports; for Argentina 13% (2020). And beyond the percentages, the prices that Europe pays for the types of cuts that they buy are attractive to most exporters and it is a market that they want to preserve.
Personally, I do not believe that this Regulation by itself is going to solve the problem of deforestation. It definitely created awareness and has led to discussions with an increasingly high level of knowledge about Deforestation, Degradation, Conversion and definitions of what are considered Forests and what are not. I think this is also very positive.
It has generated discussions on "environmental" traceability, beyond the already existing sanitary traceability for Europe. It has also started exchanges with local governments on access to data, information of origin, georeferencing, and the importance of public-private collaboration which has become evident, since the Regulation falls on private actors (exporters) but the origin (farm/production unit) and transportation data for the products generally reside in public sources.
Technology has advanced a lot in recent times through BlockChain, satellites, and multiple applications and programs that allow faster access to information. I believe that this is the beginning of new directions for international (and local) trade to head. The need to provide information in a transparent and rapid manner is vital, not only in terms of deforestation or conversion, but also on emissions, human rights, health and animal welfare, and type of production system (beef from feedlot or pasture). Consumers are more aware of the need to be informed and know the origin of what they consume.
It is known that the regulations on European deforestation will be followed with somewhat different requirements by the United Kingdom and the United States. Possibly China will also have environmental requirements at some point, which is why it is important that we all prepare and collaborate between different institutions.
On the other hand, I believe it is essential that there be more discussion forums, where regions such as Latin America can bring their perspectives regarding the social and economic importance of livestock, and the impact that this region has on Climate Change and the problems that facing the world today.
Happily, I see that there are multiple organizations that are working on sustainable livestock, the challenge is to collaborate among all and join efforts. With IICA we are achieving it, and that is a great step.
The COPs also represent a great opportunity, where we can all come together and carry a consensual message with data based on science.
I think there is still a lot to do, but I feel that we are on the right track. The challenge is not to slow down, but quite the opposite, to be more efficient and open to working together towards the same goal, improving the sustainability of livestock.
