How rules made in Europe put Ethiopian farmers at risk
Ethiopia's coffee industry faces challenges with new EU regulations requiring proof of deforestation-free products. Farmers struggle to meet criteria, risking access to the European market. Some view regulations positively.
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Ethiopia's coffee industry, crucial for the country's economy, faces challenges due to new European regulations aimed at preventing deforestation. The EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) requires proof that products like coffee did not come from deforested land. Ethiopian farmers, mostly smallholders, struggle to meet the complex criteria, risking their access to the European market, which accounts for a significant portion of their exports. While environmentalists support the regulations, Ethiopian producers argue that their sustainable farming practices, which involve maintaining forests for shade, are being unfairly penalized. The cost of compliance and the fragmented supply chain in Ethiopia pose additional hurdles. Despite concerns about the regulations' impact on the industry, some see the move towards compulsory regulations as a positive step in combating global deforestation. Ethiopian farmers are calling for more time to adapt to the new rules to avoid losing access to vital markets and the benefits they bring to their communities.
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