Cattle farmers urged to prepare for new EU deforestation rules
The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has called on farmers to prepare for new EU deforestation regulations due to come into force early next year.
The European Union (EU) has taken a strong stand against products linked to global forest destruction.
Under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), certain goods entering the EU market will soon need to be certified as produced without causing deforestation or forest degradation.
The EUDR comes into effect on 1 January 2026.
The NAU said Namibia, which counts the EU as one of its key trading partners, will be directly affected.
According to the union, beef, cattle hides and charcoal are among the products in the spotlight.
Soya beans, which are often used in cattle feed, are also included on the EU’s regulated list, meaning the livestock sector could face indirect impacts.
The NAU said Namibia must have all necessary systems and verification processes in place before the regulations come into effect.
Without compliance, the EU could reject shipments, causing significant losses for producers, exporters and the wider economy.
Comprehensive requirements
Recognising the urgency, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) has stepped in to lead the national response, the union added.
The effort involves not only large-scale processors and exporters but every link in the beef value chain, from small-scale communal farmers to commercial producers.
The EUDR requirements are comprehensive, starting from the moment a calf is born and continuing through to slaughter and processing. Traceability, maintaining accurate, verifiable records of cattle origin and movements, will be central to compliance.
Land use must also be clearly documented to demonstrate that grazing areas are not the result of deforestation.
All cattle producers whose animals could enter the EU market, whether selling directly to an abattoir or through livestock auctions, will need to meet the EU’s standards. Even farmers who do not export directly may still be affected, as their cattle can enter the EU supply chain through resales or feedlot operations.
Understand the rules
To help producers understand and meet these obligations, the LLPB has released a detailed guidance document, which outlines the specific steps to be followed, from record-keeping and farm mapping to ensuring proper certification and verification.
The union urged farmers to study the guidance and begin implementing the necessary practices.
It warned that failure to act could jeopardise Namibia’s access to one of its most lucrative export markets and affect the entire industry. By starting early, Namibia’s beef sector can ensure a smooth transition, maintain its reputation for quality, and safeguard its place in the EU market well beyond 2026.
The European Union (EU) has taken a strong stand against products linked to global forest destruction.
Under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), certain goods entering the EU market will soon need to be certified as produced without causing deforestation or forest degradation.
The EUDR comes into effect on 1 January 2026.
The NAU said Namibia, which counts the EU as one of its key trading partners, will be directly affected.
According to the union, beef, cattle hides and charcoal are among the products in the spotlight.
Soya beans, which are often used in cattle feed, are also included on the EU’s regulated list, meaning the livestock sector could face indirect impacts.
The NAU said Namibia must have all necessary systems and verification processes in place before the regulations come into effect.
Without compliance, the EU could reject shipments, causing significant losses for producers, exporters and the wider economy.
Comprehensive requirements
Recognising the urgency, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) has stepped in to lead the national response, the union added.
The effort involves not only large-scale processors and exporters but every link in the beef value chain, from small-scale communal farmers to commercial producers.
The EUDR requirements are comprehensive, starting from the moment a calf is born and continuing through to slaughter and processing. Traceability, maintaining accurate, verifiable records of cattle origin and movements, will be central to compliance.
Land use must also be clearly documented to demonstrate that grazing areas are not the result of deforestation.
All cattle producers whose animals could enter the EU market, whether selling directly to an abattoir or through livestock auctions, will need to meet the EU’s standards. Even farmers who do not export directly may still be affected, as their cattle can enter the EU supply chain through resales or feedlot operations.
Understand the rules
To help producers understand and meet these obligations, the LLPB has released a detailed guidance document, which outlines the specific steps to be followed, from record-keeping and farm mapping to ensuring proper certification and verification.
The union urged farmers to study the guidance and begin implementing the necessary practices.
It warned that failure to act could jeopardise Namibia’s access to one of its most lucrative export markets and affect the entire industry. By starting early, Namibia’s beef sector can ensure a smooth transition, maintain its reputation for quality, and safeguard its place in the EU market well beyond 2026.
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