From 30 December 2025, the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will come into force. This landmark regulation is designed to prevent the EU market from contributing to global deforestation by ensuring that certain products, including cattle and beef, are “deforestation-free.” For UK farmers and exporters who want to continue selling into the EU, the EUDR introduces new obligations around traceability, data collection, and due diligence.

What is the EUDR?

The EUDR requires that cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, wood, and a wide range of derived products placed on or exported to the EU market are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation. For cattle products, this means animals must not have been raised on land deforested after 31 December 2020. The law is not a blanket ban on trade but sets strict conditions that businesses must meet before placing goods on the EU market.

Who Does It Apply To?

The EUDR applies to operators (companies placing relevant products on the EU market or exporting them) and traders (those making them available within the EU supply chain).

For UK farming, the key affected group will be exporters of cattle and beef products. Even though the UK is outside the EU, British producers selling into EU markets, or Northern Ireland, must supply importers with the information required under the EUDR.

Importantly:

• The EUDR applies to cattle born on or after 29 June 2023. Animals born before this date fall outside its scope.
• Both large processors and exporters will need to comply, with some simplified rules available for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

• The EUDR covers not only cattle but also soy, which is widely used in cattle feed. If your cattle are fed soy-based rations, your buyers may ask for evidence that the soy was sourced from deforestation-free supply chains.

What Needs to Be Done to Comply?

Compliance centres on due diligence. Businesses must be able to prove their products are deforestation-free and legally produced.

1. Information Gathering

Exporters and importers must collect detailed information, including:

• Geolocation data – a single coordinate for every farm or establishment where cattle were raised.
• Animal lifetime records – from birth to slaughter, kept for at least five years.
• Supply chain details – such as suppliers, buyers, and confirmation that production met domestic laws.

2. Due Diligence Statement (DDS)

Operators must submit a Due Diligence Statement into the EU’s central information system. This statement confirms that risks of deforestation are “non-existent or negligible.”

• Large companies will submit one DDS annually, rather than per shipment.
• However, batch-level data collection is still required internally (e.g., farm geolocation, origin), even if it’s not uploaded each time.

3. Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Businesses must assess the risk of non-compliance for every product. This involves considering:

• The country or region of production.
• Levels of deforestation risk (high, standard, or low), as classified by the EU. The UK has been classified as low-risk. 
• Local factors, such as Indigenous Peoples’ rights and land-use practices.

Where risks exist, companies must take steps such as requesting extra information, commissioning audits, or investing in supply chain transparency.

4. Reporting & Review

Operators must review their due diligence systems annually and publish reports on how they are meeting obligations.

Practical Steps for Businesses

To prepare, businesses should:

1. Map supply chains against EUDR commodities to identify products in scope.
2. Improve traceability by engaging with suppliers and adopting digital tracking tools.
3. Review purchasing practices to avoid sourcing from regions with opaque or high-risk supply chains.
4. Use certifications wisely – while useful, they do not replace due diligence obligations.

Implications for UK Farming

For UK farmers and meat processors, the EUDR adds another layer of compliance when exporting to the EU. Some key implications include:

• Geolocation requirements: Farmers may need to provide precise farm coordinates, even if they only sell to a UK processor that exports beef to the EU.
• Data transparency: Lifetime animal records and land-use history will become increasingly important. This may be covered through existing quality assurance.
• Business models: Farmers working with cooperatives or processors may see new demands for information sharing, audits, or verification processes.

In short, the EUDR is likely to reshape how UK cattle and beef products are documented and traced before reaching EU customers.

What UK Farmers Need to Do On-Farm

While the detailed reporting and compliance obligations will sit mainly with processors and exporters, farmers play a vital role in providing the information needed for EU market access. Here are the key steps to take on-farm:

1. Keep Accurate Land Records

• Be able to show the exact geolocation of your holding (e.g., farm coordinates).
• Maintain evidence that the land used for grazing or feed production has not been deforested after 31 December 2020. Maps, aerial photos, or agri-environment scheme records may all help.

2. Maintain Lifetime Animal Records

• Ensure records of birth, movement, and slaughter are complete and accurate.
• Work with your processor or exporter to make sure these records can be linked to the animal’s place of birth and all subsequent holdings.

3. Account for Feed Sources (Including Soy)

   The EUDR covers not only cattle but also soy, which is widely used in cattle feed. If your cattle are fed soy-based rations, your buyers may ask for evidence that the soy was sourced from deforestation-free supply chains.

   This could mean:

   • Providing feed purchase records (supplier, product, and origin).

   • Asking your feed supplier for assurances or certification that their soy meets EUDR requirements.

   • Keeping invoices or supplier declarations on file to prove compliance.

4. Share Information with Buyers

• Processors and exporters will need your farm data to complete their Due Diligence Statements.
• Expect requests for land coordinates, confirmation of land use, and full traceability of animals supplied.

4. Adopt Digital Tools Where Possible

• Farm management software, digital passports, or mapping tools can make it easier to provide the required traceability information.
• Investing in these systems now will reduce admin headaches later.

5. Be Ready for Audits or Spot Checks

• While unlikely to target individual farmers directly, audits by processors or external bodies may include visits to farms to verify records.
• Keeping clear, accessible documentation will make compliance easier and reduce disruption.

What Happens If Companies Don’t Comply?

Non-compliance will trigger corrective action, which may include withdrawing products from the EU market or donating them for public use.Penalties are set by EU member states but will be severe enough to act as a deterrent. They may include:

• Fines of up to 4% of annual EU turnover, potentially higher if illegal profits are involved.
• Confiscation of goods or revenues.
• Temporary bans on EU trade or public procurement contracts.