Rome, 23 February 2024. The International Leather, Accessories, Components and Leather Goods Show, Lineapelleheld from 20-22 February in Milan (Italy), hosted the conference "The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the challenge of traceability in the leather supply chain". Lorenzo Nalin, programme manager of the AL-INVEST Verde programme, participated in this panel, where he presented the related activities that the programme carries out in collaboration with the MERCOSUR countries.

During the meeting, they discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the leather sector in view of the recent approval, in June 2023, of the European regulation of deforestation and forest degradation free products. Lorenzo Nalin presented the main findings of the study ".Traceability initiatives in the meat and leather value chains in Brazil"and detailed other actions of AL-INVEST Verde in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguayand the elaboration of a regional study on the traceability of meat and leather in Latin America.

The panel was attended by important actors of the leather chain, such as the president of the National Union of the Tanning Industry (UNIC), Luca Boltriwho moderated the panel; the President of the European Tanning Association (COTANCE), Gustavo González Quijano, as well as representatives of the private sector, such as Francesco Matelliof MATELLI Srl. Also participating Giulia Martin, of UNIC, and Federico Brugnoliof Spin360. All actively contributed to the discussion, promoting a dialogue that included the public and private sectors.