Hello,
The EUDR delay everyone talks about hasn't happened yet. December will decide if companies get relief or face original deadlines. Meanwhile, Germany calculates a €1.8 billion first-year cost. Here's what we can verify.
Here's what's moving European forestry this week:
🔍 The Big Story
The EUDR Delay That Isn't (Yet)
Brussels proposed pushing EUDR back one year. Parliament hasn't approved it yet. The December 2025 decision date means original deadlines remain active: December 30, 2025 for large companies, June 30, 2026 for SMEs.
Companies face planning chaos. Nestlé, Mars Wrigley, and Ferrero sent an open letter to EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall opposing the delay. They already invested in compliance. Supply chains are ready. Another delay creates more uncertainty than certainty.
Germany's wood industry calculated the cost: €1.8 billion in year one, €1.2 billion annually after. These aren't projections. They're based on current compliance requirements, geolocation systems, and due diligence documentation needs.
The technical reality: Annual Due Diligence Statements (DDS) are now allowed. Companies can use certification schemes for risk assessment. But operators remain fully liable for breaches. Geolocation and supply chain data requirements haven't changed.
FSC hosted implementation webinars with policymakers. Luxembourg opened public consultation on PEFC certification updates (closes November 2). Industry isn't waiting for Brussels to decide. They're preparing anyway.
What this means for you: Don't plan around a delay that doesn't exist yet. Use October and November to close documentation gaps. If the delay passes, you're ahead. If it doesn't, you're compliant. Parliamentary approval could arrive late December or not at all. Source: Trusty Compliance, ESG Today, Forest Machine Magazine
📊 Quick Hits
1. 🏴 Scottish Peatland Gets Grant Boost
University of Edinburgh secured a three-year grant from NatureScot Peatland ACTION for peatland monitoring at Ardtornish Estate. The project uses environmental DNA to analyze peat condition and drone surveys (RGB, multi-spectral, LiDAR) to track restoration progress on 150 hectares of blanket bog.
The takeaway: This combines traditional monitoring with new tech for robust carbon and biodiversity measurement. If it works, expect other peatland projects to copy the approach. Source: Forestry Journal
2. 💰 Microsoft Buys 970,000 Forest Carbon Credits
All from North American forests. Aurora Sustainable Lands, Acadian Timber Corp., and Baskahegan Company supplied the credits. Zero came from Europe.
Context: Europe supplies only 0.5% of global Verra-certified nature-based credits. Microsoft's purchase shows buyers exist at scale. Europe can't supply them.
The takeaway: If you have verified forest carbon capacity, buyers exist. Europe needs infrastructure to connect forest owners with this demand. Source: ESG News
3. 🇬🇧 Great British Timber Campaign Launches
James Jones & Sons and MKM Building Supplies promote domestic C16 timber. Local supply chain support. Verified sourcing practices documented.
The takeaway: Domestic sourcing campaigns gaining momentum across Europe. Watch for similar initiatives in other countries as EUDR makes local sourcing more attractive. Source: Build News
4. 🎙️ Danish Forest Podcast Worth Your Time
Foresting Tomorrow delivers weekly forest innovation coverage. Hosts Jens Isbak, Rasmus Pedersen, and Benjamin Lauridsen cover tech, traceability, and European forest policy. Recent episodes: EcoTree's restoration projects, Naturmødet festival coverage, Elmia Wood Fair 50th anniversary, forest data from field to boardroom.
The takeaway: Quality European forest content in English. No jargon. Real conversations with industry leaders. forestingtomorrow.com
🔒 Professional Members Are Months Ahead
You're reading about EUDR uncertainty. Professional members already know how to turn natural capital into balance sheet value.
Next Professional Issue:
🎯 Natural Capital Accounting
What is Natural Capital Accounting?
Your forest's hidden wealth becomes mandatory in 2026
What 'natural capital' actually means in EU regulatory context
Introduction to natural capital balance sheets
What You've Already Missed:
✅ Carbon Markets Complete Series (4 parts)
Part 1: How Trees Become Euros
Part 2: Why Your €50 Credit Sells for €5
Part 3: Who's Who in EU Forest Carbon
Part 4: Your First Carbon Deal (€50,000 Protection Checklist)
✅ EUDR Complete Series (3 parts)
Part 1: What Brussels Won't Tell You (free)
Part 2: The Integration Playbook
Extra: The Enforcement Playbook
🔐 Ready for premium intelligence? Learn about ForestryBrief Professional
The Weeks Ahead 📅
October 8-14:
Spanish carbon auction platform goes live
EUDR lobbying intensifies ahead of December decision
Luxembourg PEFC consultation ongoing (closes Nov 2)
Forest Europe workstreams begin implementation
October 15-21:
EFI AI regulatory webinars begin
FAO bioeconomy webinar series continues
Q3 timber market data releases expected
Key Dates:
Nov 2: Luxembourg PEFC consultation closes
Nov 10-21: COP30 Climate Summit, Belém, Brazil
Nov 24-Dec 5: CITES Conference, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
December 2025: EUDR delay decision
One Thing to Try This Week 🎯
Listen to One Foresting Tomorrow Episode
Pick any 30-minute episode from forestingtomorrow.com. Choose a topic you don't normally follow. Forest tech? Certification debates? Carbon markets?
Why this matters: European forestry is changing fast. Podcasts let you learn while driving, walking, or working. Foresting Tomorrow keeps you current without reading 20-page reports.
Time investment: 30 minutes
Danish hosts, English language, European focus. Give it one episode.
Until Thursday!
Wish you all the best: Peter
P.S. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in forestry right now?
Hit reply and let me know — I read every message personally.
P. P. S. Know a forest professional who’s drowning in EUDR complexity or missing out on timber market shifts? Share FB with them through the referral program below and get a gift after you refer 10 new subscribers!
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