European Commission reduces scope of products under EU Deforestation Regulation
The Commission has updated the EUDR's product scope and digital tools to support implementation, confirming the removal of cattle hides, skins and leather.
In response, Fern campaigner Nicole Polsterer said:
The Commission’s own analysis shows that leather has one of the highest deforestation footprints among all commodities consumed by Europeans. Yet the EU has yielded to industry pressure and excluded it from the EUDR. This will significantly diminish the law’s global impact in advancing traceable and deforestation-free cattle supply chains. Those calling most loudly for leather's removal also appear to have the greatest vested interest in the continued flow of hides from deforested land into the EU market.
A significant majority of leather industry submissions from the public consultation came from Italy and Brazil and from the tanning sector. This is unsurprising: most cattle-driven deforestation occurs in Brazil, and Italy is the second-largest buyer of Brazilian hides by volume and by far the largest importer among EU Member States.
Fern partner Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) condemns the European Commission's decision, warning that this move will weaken efforts to tackle deforestation.
APIB issued a letter to the European Commission on 3 July 2026 to express its deep concern about changing the EUDR’s scope, especially regarding excluding the traceability of leather from bovine hides. Days later, Fern and Mighty Earth issued a joint letter urging the Commission to maintain leather in the Regulation, in order to safeguard its consistency, effectiveness, and environmental integrity.
Categories: News, EU Regulation on deforestation-free products
