The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) says the European Commission’s latest proposal on the EU Deforestation-free Product Regulation (EUDR) “does not address real concerns” with an EU information technology system that remains unfit for purpose and overlooks the impact on micro- and small businesses that support larger supply chains. FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor called for practical simplification that formally recognizes low-risk third countries such as Canada and certain EU Member States, according to the Forest Products Association of Canada.
Nighbor added that Canada is ready to work with international partners on a revised proposal that meets the intent of the regulation without undermining reliable trading relationships, as outlined in the June 2025 EU-Canada strategic partnership. He urged the Canadian government to engage directly with EU institutions to ensure the regulation includes simplified traceability for countries that pose negligible deforestation risk.
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally across government, trade, and environmental platforms. Canada’s forest products sector generates over $87.2 billion in annual revenue, directly employs 200,000 people, and operates in hundreds of communities. FPAC members collaborate with Indigenous leaders, government agencies, and stakeholders to advance forest health while supporting long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
