The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is urging the European Union to use its proposed delay of the Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) to address deeper trade issues that threaten U.S. forest product exports.
AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock said the delay is welcome, but emphasized that fundamental flaws remain in the regulation, which has been identified by the U.S. Trade Representative as a non-tariff trade barrier.
“EUDR is, and continues to be, a non-tariff trade barrier for U.S. forest product exports into the EU,” Brock stated. “Additional changes are needed to address this regulation and the disproportionate and unworkable obligations on the U.S. pulp and paper industry, which is recognized by the EU as a negligible risk to global deforestation.”
Trade at risk
The AF&PA estimates the EUDR puts more than $3.5 billion in annual U.S. forest product exports to Europe at risk. While the European Commission’s proposal to postpone implementation is seen as a positive step, the association is pushing for broader revisions to ensure fair trade conditions and reciprocal market access.
Industry perspective
The U.S. pulp and paper industry employs more than 925,000 people across the country, particularly in rural communities, and is a top-10 manufacturing sector employer in 44 states. The industry represents about 4.7% of U.S. manufacturing GDP, producing more than $435 billion in products annually.
AF&PA member companies are also significant users of renewable biomass energy and are advancing long-term sustainability commitments through the Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 initiative.
Next steps
AF&PA is calling on EU policymakers to go beyond technical fixes, like IT system updates, and ensure that the EUDR does not unfairly penalize U.S. producers. “We encourage the EU to continue to work towards a fair and reciprocal trade relationship with the U.S.,” Brock said.
