Brussels proposes limited EUDR delay and lighter rules for small operators
22/10/2025
The plan, reported by Euractiv, would postpone enforcement for small operators until December 2026 and introduce a new category of “micro and small primary operators.” Farmers and foresters in low-risk countries – including EU member states, the UK, the US, and Australia – would only need to register once in the EU’s IT system and provide basic plot details.
Other adjustments include a six-month suspension of penalties for non-compliance and a streamlined due diligence process, requiring only the first company placing goods on the EU market to prove they are deforestation-free. The Commission said the changes aim to prevent system overloads and ensure smoother implementation.
Reactions among MEPs have been mixed. Greens criticised the proposal for diluting environmental safeguards, while centrist and socialist groups described it as a “workable compromise.” The European People’s Party said the revisions were “a step in the right direction,” pending further analysis.
The proposal must still be approved by both the European Parliament and the Council, with negotiations expected to move quickly to allow publication before the end of the year.
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