The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Task Force (NTF) on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.
The announcement was made during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
Kyari emphasized that the formation of the task force is a critical move towards aligning Nigeria’s agricultural sector with international standards, ensuring that Nigerian products remain competitive in the European Union market.
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“The EU’s deforestation regulation took effect on June 29, 2023, with an 18-month implementation window until December 2024,” Kyari stated, underlining the urgency of the situation.
He warned of the serious economic consequences if Nigeria fails to comply, highlighting that the cocoa, rubber, soya, and timber sectors — which represent 80%, 7%, 7%, and 5% of the country’s €523 million export trade to the EU — would be at risk.
Kyari also stressed the need for collective action to meet the stringent EUDR requirements. “As members of the NTF on EUDR, we have a critical and urgent responsibility. We cannot afford to work in isolation any longer,” he urged, calling for collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders.
He further highlighted the importance of updating Nigeria’s forest mapping, last done in 1959, and establishing a national traceability system for agricultural value chains to ensure compliance with the EU’s regulations.
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