The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is reshaping how beef and cattle-derived products are sourced, documented, and traded. Designed to ensure that commodities entering the EU market are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation, the regulation establishes a new baseline of transparency that affects every player in the supply chain, from smallholder ranchers to multinational exporters.
As enforcement approaches, it is essential for the global beef industry to understand the regulation’s scope, its practical implications, and the steps required to remain eligible for EU market access.
EUDR requires operators to submit the exact geographic coordinates of all plots where cattle have lived. This means polygon mapping for each parcel, accurate enough to confirm land-use history. For many producers, this is the first time such precision has been mandated — and it forms the backbone of every due-diligence submission.
To qualify for EU entry, all plots associated with each animal must show no deforestation or forest degradation since the 2020 cutoff. This involves validated land-use history, in some cases supported by satellite imagery and risk assessments. Even a single non-compliant plot can jeopardize an entire shipment.
Exporters and importers must submit dossiers confirming supply-chain traceability, verified risk assessments, compliance with human-rights safeguards, and the availability of supporting documentation. Because responsibility lies with the importer, upstream partners — producers, feedlots, and processors — are under pressure to deliver reliable, verifiable data.
EUDR covers the entire upstream and midstream beef ecosystem:
Producers must document the origins of cattle with a level of detail that many have not had to compile before. This includes mapping all farm areas, tracking animal movements, and maintaining land-use records as part of normal operations.
Those purchasing cattle or beef products must ensure the upstream data they receive is complete and accurate. They bear legal responsibility for non-compliant shipments and may require suppliers to meet higher transparency standards.
Exporters must submit due-diligence statements at the border, so gaps in supplier documentation can halt shipments entirely. They also face significant reputational risk if supply chains cannot be verified.
Retailers selling beef in the EU must ensure their supply chains meet the regulation. Many are already tightening sourcing criteria ahead of enforcement.
The regulation is already in force, but major deadlines include:
Because the regulation requires historic land-use verification back to 2020, waiting until the enforcement deadline may not leave enough time to prepare.
While EUDR compliance ultimately depends on producers’ and exporters’ ability to provide accurate and verifiable data, technology can play a practical supporting role. mOOvement’s GPS-based livestock tracking systems already generate geolocation and insights that help producers and supply-chain partners improve the quality and consistency of their documentation.
The regulation sets the stage for a more transparent global beef sector and technologies that provide verified location and movement records can be part of the operational toolbox producers use to keep pace.
Cattle production cycles extend over several years. Animals entering the export chain in coming years will be judged against documentation that begins today. Early preparation supports supply continuity, strengthens relationships with EU buyers, and reduces the risk of last-minute shocks.
Significant Regulatory Shifts
EUDR marks one of the most significant regulatory shifts in agricultural trade in decades. For the global beef industry, it brings new expectations for transparency, data quality, and environmental accountability.
While the requirements are substantial, early adopters stand to benefit from improved market access, stronger buyer relationships, and an enhanced reputation for sustainability.
With enforcement deadlines approaching, now is the time for producers, processors, exporters and retailers to align systems, clarify responsibilities, and prepare their supply chains for a new era of deforestation-free beef.
