The Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) of Uruguay hosted the event to present the results of the project "Certification of Agroexportable Products in Native Forest Lands", implemented by AL-INVEST Verde, through the Centre for Applied Research in Agroforestry Development (IDAF).
The event was chaired by Minister Fernando Mattos, Undersecretary Ignacio Buffa and Director General of Forestry Carlos Faroppa, accompanied by Claudia Romano, Manager of the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI), Markus Handke, Head of the Cooperation Section of the Delegation of the European Union in Uruguay, and Rosa Oliva, AL-INVEST Verde technical specialist.
The project studied the feasibility and proposal of a public certification system for production chains in relation to native forest conservation. The Directorate General of Forestry (DGF) of the MGAP coordinated the project, with the support of the AUCI, to facilitate compliance with the EU Regulation 2023/1115 on supply chains free of deforestation and forest degradation (EUDR).
The MGAP is currently developing a public policy proposal to support the agro-export sector. This proposal includes a platform that will be "unique, universal and of voluntary access", as well as interoperable with existing systems such as the National Livestock Information System (SNIG), the National Agricultural Information System (SNIA), and the Forest Management System (SGB).
"The platform will offer two fundamental products: a map of native forest change and the issuing of certificates that guarantee that agro-exportable products come from deforestation-free lands, available in digital format to be shared with European operators or other agents in the production chains," the MGAP reported.
Project results
The project began in April 2023 with the diagnosis of Uruguay's coastal area and the characterisation of productive value chains and actors that could adhere to a certification system. In addition, a mapping of forest certification experiences in Latin America and the European Union was carried out, which could be of interest for Uruguay's proposal.
In October, in Paysandú and Montevideo, respectively, the workshop "Certification of agro-exportable products from native forests" was organised. The objective was to learn the vision of all parties involved in the generation of a proposal for a public certification system that complies with the requirements of the EUDR. The results obtained made it possible to complement the diagnosis carried out in the framework of the action and a preliminary proposal was made for a certification system for native forest management, as well as a proposal for incentive schemes.
In the framework of this project, two pilot experiences have also been carried out. The first allowed the first shipment of deforestation-free wood chips from Uruguay to Europe. The second shipment of deforestation-free wood was destined for the United States, where it could be used to manufacture products that are subsequently sent to Europe, thus requiring documentation of its deforestation-free origin.
Sustainable management of native forests helps to preserve the country's forests and promotes territorial economic development. This project has allowed a better understanding of sustainable and responsible resource extraction processes for the conservation of native forests in Uruguay.
About AL-INVEST Verde
AL-INVEST Verde is a programme funded by the European Union (EU). Its main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 2, led by FIIAPP in consortium with IILA, the programme provides assistance for strengthening public policy and multi-stakeholder dialogues on sustainable agricultural and value chains, environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainable trade and economic policy and regulatory frameworks.
