Ecological transition, forests and agro-industrial supply chains: the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The European Commission has recently adopted a regulation aimed at mitigating the impact of so-called “embedded deforestation,” primarily resulting from the importation of key commodities such as soy, palm oil, beef, cocoa, coffee, and timber.

With the objective of preserving the ecological value of forest ecosystems in countries that produce these raw materials—predominantly located in tropical regions—the European Union has introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/3234, which entered into force on 29 June 2023. This regulation establishes enhanced due diligence measures designed to ensure that only deforestation-free products are placed on the Union market.

Member States are required, through specific national decrees, to define the modalities and tools that companies subject to the new obligations must implement as of December 2025. In this context, the various agri-food sectors will need to rapidly develop new procedures and traceability systems capable of meeting the regulatory objectives while at the same time avoiding excessive administrative burdens, particularly given the complexity and length of these supply chains, which could otherwise lead to a loss of competitiveness across distribution networks.

In light of this, it is essential to establish an open forum for dialogue, enabling the exchange of information and the identification of critical aspects related to the implementation of the new requirements. Such a space would help ensure a balanced approach between the legitimate goals of environmental protection and climate mitigation, and the need to secure access to essential raw materials for supply chains that are strategic to the Italian manufacturing sector.

Session Chair

Silvia Piconcelli, Confagricoltura

Program

10.00 Welcome greetings
Enrico Allasia, Confagricoltura 

10.15-10.30 Introduction
Marco Marchetti, Fondazione Alberitalia

10.30-10.45 New obligations related to Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation and forest degradation (EUDR)
Marco Onida, DG ENVI European Commission (TBC)

10.45-11-15 Emilio Gatto, Difor

11.15-11.30 The control system
Felice Assenza, ICQRF (TBC)

11.30-12.15 Case studies and Speeches selected from the Call for Papers

Case study Trusty
Alessandro Chelli

Call for Papers

Oltre il legno: funzioni e servizi ecosistemici per valorizzare la filiera e ridurre gli impatti ambientali Elena Maestri

Un protocollo operativo per la raccolta e la condivisione dei dati sui flussi di biomasse legnose nel Bacino Padano: strumenti per la transizione ecologica nelle filiere agroforestali
Domenico Vito

An Integrated Perspective on Territorial Vulnerability in the Context of the EU Zero Deforestation Regulation
Manolo Zocco

12.15-13.00 How to achieve the new requirements? Supply chains in comparison
Panel Discussion:
Moderator
Alessandra Stefani, Cluster Italia Foresta Legno

Speakers
Claudio Feltrin, Federlegno
Mauro Fontana, Italian Association for Sustainable Palm Oil
Carlo Siciliani, Unceb
Enrico Zavaglia, Cereal docks (TBC)

13.00-13.15 Conclusions
Davide Matteo Pettenella, University of Padua