Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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622. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when new EU regulations and conditions attaching to such regulations will be applied (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36043/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy’s question specifically addresses Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation, commonly known as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). As of 29 December 2023, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was designated Competent Authority in Ireland.

The regulation applies to coffee, cocoa, cattle, wood, rubber, palm oil, soy and certain derived products. A full list of relevant products is listed by HS Code in Annex 1 of the regulation. The EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) formally entered into force on 29 June 2023. Its primary objective is to minimise the European Union's contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation, and to promote the consumption of 'deforestation-free' products.

While the Regulation entered into force in June 2023, the application of its core obligations for operators and traders has been subject to a transitional period to allow for necessary preparations. Initially, these obligations were set to apply from 30 December 2024 for large and medium-sized operators, and from 30 June 2025 for micro and small enterprises. However, recognising the complexity of implementation and in response to concerns raised by Member States and industry stakeholders, the European Commission proposed a legislative amendment. This proposal was adopted, leading to a 12-month delay in the application of the main obligations of the regulation for operators and traders. Consequently, the revised dates for the entry into application of the EUDR's key requirements are now:

• 30 December 2025 for large and medium-sized companies.
• 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises.