Documents Relating To The European Union Deforestation Regulation And Australian Leather And Beef Industries.

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Subject: FW: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Monday, 28 July 2025 1:02 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi >22(1)(a)(ii) 2pm would be great.
Do you want to do it on Teams or you can call my mobile s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Thanks
<22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Monday, 28 July 2025 11:51 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au>
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

hi

would 2, 2.30 or 4 work for you please?

Regards,
<22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au>
Sent: 28 July 2025 10:44
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi >22(1)(a)(ii)

Would you have time for a quick chat today?

Thanks,
<22(1)(a)(ii)

M: s 22(1)(a)(ii)

OFFICIAL

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Tuesday, 22 July 2025 3:55 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au>

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Cc: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi

do you mind if we reconnect on Monday please? s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Regards,

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au&gt;
Sent: 22 July 2025 15:52
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi

I wanted to give you a call about the September webinar but realised that I didn't have your phone number.

Could you please call me on s 22(1)(a)(ii) at your convenience.

I wanted to let you know that we are about to send the invitations out and we also need a few details from you.

Kind regards,

S 22(1)(a)(ii)
Senior Policy Officer | United States, Canada and Europe | s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
International Organisations and Negotiations Branch | Trade and International Division
1 Dean Street, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

OFFICIAL

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Tuesday, 8 July 2025 11:55 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au&gt;
Cc: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi

From Brussels, - Let's go for 25 September for the 45 minute workshop then – but please lets do 9am Bxl, 5pm AUS.</europe.tmad@aff.gov.au></europe.tmad@aff.gov.au></europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

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Is this acceptable please?

Regards,
x 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au&gt;
Sent: 07 July 2025 13:21
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi x 22(1)(a)(ii)

How about the 22nd or the 25th of September at 4pm for a 45 minutes webinar. It would be 8am in Brussels.

Thanks,
x 22(1)(a)(ii)

OFFICIAL

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Monday, 7 July 2025 8:28 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi x 22(1)(a)(ii)

I'm now told the second half of September better suits our side. Do you want to nominate a couple of alternative dates / times – I'll check and then let's lock it in. Of course, will need to be late afternoon our side to accommodate the time difference.

Regards,
x 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) @aff.gov.au&gt;
Sent: 07 July 2025 08:21
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii) (EEAS-CANBERRA) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>
Subject: RE: EUDR Benchmarking [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi x 22(1)(a)(ii)

I hope that you had a nice weekend.</europe.tmad@aff.gov.au></europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

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I just wanted to follow up on proposed dates for the upcoming webinar. Are you able to share some availability from DG Environment representative and your team?

It would be great to block time in everyone’s calendar as soon as possible.

Many thanks,

a 22011243101

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# s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

On EUDR HOM asked if $^{s22(1)(a)(ii)}$ was able share any thoughts on the suggestion of a negligible risk rating category for countries. $^{s22(1)(a)(ii)}$ said the EC has worked to simplify requirements under the EUDR but it cannot go further without reopening the legislation to changes. Farmers and some Member States had not appreciated that they also would need to comply with EUDR requirements. They are pressing for a 'no risk category' but this would require modification to be legislation and the EC has not taken a stand on this at this point.

HOM raised the case for exemption of skins and hides from cattle given it is a by-product and would otherwise go to waste. $^{s22(1)(a)(ii)}$ (Minister Counsellor Agriculture) referred to it as an example that aligns with the EUs interest in the bioeconomy – by product that would otherwise be waste is used to generate leather and value added goods in the EU. $^{s22(1)(a)(ii)}$ was interested in this and appeared to appreciate the case for exemption and said she would follow-up.

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent on: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 11:18:03 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
CC: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: Letter to Commissioner s 22(1)(a)(ii) from Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. s 22(1)(a)(ii) [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Attachments: Signed_letter_MS25-000268.pdf.pdf (351.26 KB)

OFFICIAL

Dear Commissioner s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Please find attached correspondence from the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. s 22(1)(a)(ii) on the EU Deforestation Regulation.

s 33(a)(iii)

This has been copied to Commission Presidents s 22(1)(a)(ii) and Commissioner s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Australia looks forward to your response, and I remain at your disposal should you wish to discuss.

Regards,

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the EU and NATO
AUSTRALIA

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# s 33(a)(iii),s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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# s 33(a)(iii),s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

President

European Commission

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

Belgium

4th April, 2025

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Joint letter on behalf of the meat, hide and leather sectors: Impact of the European Union Deforestation Regulation on trade of bovine hides and leather

The undersigned organisations, representing the cattle to leather value chain, are grateful that a pragmatic approach has been taken to the introduction of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR). The agreed twelve-month delay will allow all parties time to ensure that the regulation is implemented smoothly. It will also allow time for completion of the biennial review of the scope of the regulation (Article 34) before its implementation, and to ensure that the list of regulated commodities and relevant products is appropriate and will bring about the meaningful change in deforestation practices that is intended.

Bovine hides, skins and leather (HS41) are listed in Annex 1 of the regulation, but no scientific evidence supports a causal link between leather and deforestation. Since these products are thus not drivers of deforestation withdrawing them from the scope of the EUDR would be a low-hanging fruit in the simplification you advocated last year. Consequently, we call on the Commission to remove these relevant products from the scope of the regulation. Furthermore, we urge the Commission to remove ovine and caprine products from any list of products for consideration for inclusion in Annex 1 during the review process.

We are hopeful that the research by the University of Pisa (Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies), which has clearly demonstrated that leather can't be considered seriously a driver of deforestation, will duly be taken into consideration during the review process. This scientific evidence, that was missing in the original impact assessment, is now available and shows that the inclusion of hides and leather in the scope of the EUDR is unlikely to have any impact on deforestation. A brief summary of the research, by the project sponsor, UNIC, is appended for your convenience.

However, the research also shows that implementation of the EUDR will have serious, negative economic, social and environmental impacts, both within and without the EU. In addition, allowing the more than 300 million hides produced every year by the meat industry to rot in landfill would add over 100 million tonnes of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}\mathrm{e}$ to the atmosphere. The production of leather already avoids waste of approximately $60\%$ of hides and the ambition should be to increase that figure. Furthermore, displacing leather will result in greater consumption of damaging, fossil fuel-based synthetics.

While we are wholly supportive of the overarching ambition to eliminate products from areas of deforestation from EU supply chains, we are concerned that the requirements for leather traceability through international supply chains will be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve on time in most extra-EU countries. The inadequacies of the regulation and systems for its delivery are starkly highlighted by its potential impact on the trade of bovine hides and leather. Bovine hides are secondary products from the meat and dairy sectors that are traded across the globe for the production of leather. The production also yields further animal by-products used for the manufacture of gelatine and collagen, for use in food and biomedical products.

International Council of Tanners

PO Box 71, Llangollen, LL20 9BP

Tel: +44 (0) 7513 412569

Email: sec@leather-council.org Website: www.leather-council.org

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The regulation requires that hides should be traceable back to the birth farm of the animals from which they originate. However, the statutory chain of custody that exists for meat does not apply for its by-products and is broken when the hide is removed from the animal at the abattoir. As a by-product, there is no robust system to share upstream data on the origin of the hide with downstream users, making it all but impossible for a hide trader or leather manufacturer to trace with certainty the origin of their raw materials to any point before the abattoir.

This is the case for the vast majority of hides produced globally. Moreover, the absence of relevant beef imports in the EU and the low value of hides means there is no incentive to implement costly traceability systems just for hides. Significant hurdles exist, including the capacity of smallholders to provide the required geolocation information for animals that may change hands several times before slaughter and strict privacy limitations imposed by data protection laws in many countries.

The current unpredictability and uncertainty over implementation of the regulation and very real risk that compliance will be difficult in the EU and nearly impossible for international supply chains, is already creating bottlenecks, blockages, trade issues and damage across the whole of this supply chain.

In light of the evidence that inclusion in Annex 1 of relevant products of HS41 in the EUDR will not have any effect on global deforestation but will cause significant disruption of trade, potential major closure of EU tanneries with consequent decrease in employment as well as, negative economic, social and environmental effects, we call on the European authorities to:

- Remove all HS41 products listed in Annex 1 from the scope of the regulation on the basis that they are not a driver of deforestation.
- Remove ovine and caprine products from any list of products for consideration for inclusion during the review process.

Signatories

![img-0.jpeg](img-0.jpeg)
International Meat Secretariat

![img-1.jpeg](img-1.jpeg)
International Council of Hides, Skins &amp; Leather Traders Associations

![img-2.jpeg](img-2.jpeg)
International Council of Tanners

![img-3.jpeg](img-3.jpeg)
Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community

![img-4.jpeg](img-4.jpeg)
European Footwear Confederation

![img-5.jpeg](img-5.jpeg)
Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute

International Council of Tanners
PO Box 71, Llangollen, LL20 9BP
Tel: +44 (0) 7513 412569
Email: sec@leather-council.org Website: www.leather-council.org

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![img-6.jpeg](img-6.jpeg)

# ahslea

AUSTRALIAN HIDE, SKIN &amp; LEATHER EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION

# LEATHER HIDE

COUNCIL OF AMERICA

![img-7.jpeg](img-7.jpeg)

# ABICALÇADOS

ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DAS INDÚSTRIAS DE SALÇADOS

Australian Hide, Skin &amp; Leather Exporters Association

![img-8.jpeg](img-8.jpeg)

# CICB

Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry

![img-9.jpeg](img-9.jpeg)

Leather and Hide Council of America

![img-10.jpeg](img-10.jpeg)

Brazilian Footwear Industry Association

![img-11.jpeg](img-11.jpeg)

HUP

Udruga prehrambene industrije i poljoprivrede

HUP

Udruga prehrambene industrije i poljoprivrede

Croatian Association of Food Industry and Agriculture

![img-12.jpeg](img-12.jpeg)

ASSOCALZATURIFICI

Croatian Association of Textile and Leather Industries

Czech Footwear and Leather Association

Czech Footwear Federation

![img-13.jpeg](img-13.jpeg)

ASSOPELLETTIERI

Italian Footwear Manufacturers' Association

National Association of Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leathergoods and tanning Technologies

Italian Leathergoods Manufacturers' Association

International Council of Tanners

PO Box 71, Llangollen, LL20 9BP

Tel: +44 (0) 7513 412569

Email: sec@leather-council.org Website: www.leather-council.org

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CONFINDUSTRIA
ACCESSORI MODA

shoes™
from
spain

Federación
de Industrias
del Calzado
Español

![img-14.jpeg](img-14.jpeg)

Confederation of Italian Fashion Accessories

![img-15.jpeg](img-15.jpeg)

Turkish Leather Industrialists Association

![img-16.jpeg](img-16.jpeg)

German Leather Federation

Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries

Leather UK

UK Leather Federation

![img-17.jpeg](img-17.jpeg)

Wearaging van Nettels-Use
Fouderbandspaan
West, Havenloh 48
4201 VZ Steenbergen

Trade Association for the Dutch Hide Trade

Taiwanese International Leather Association

UNIC
ITALIAN TANNERIES

Italian Tanners' Association

![img-18.jpeg](img-18.jpeg)

WIRTSCHAFTSVERBAND
HÄUTE | LEDER

German Association for hides/leather

International Council of Tanners
PO Box 71, Llangollen, LL20 9BP
Tel: +44 (0) 7513 412569
Email: sec@leather-council.org Website: www.leather-council.org

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# APPENDIX

## EUROPEAN TANNING INDUSTRY AND ANTI-DEFORESTATION REGULATION EUDR ANALYSIS BY SANT'ANNA SCHOOL OF ADVANCED STUDIES - UNIVERSITY OF PISA

Leather is not a deforestation driver. This is an obvious element for anyone involved in the leather supply chain, from farmers to fashion brands, but, with the unexpected inclusion of bovine leather in the scope of application of the EUDR anti-deforestation Regulation n.1115/2023 (inclusion not preceded by an impact analysis on the European market by the EU Commission, a unique case among the goods covered by the EUDR), it has become essential to support this fact with a detailed analysis on the matter.

The study “Socio-economic and Environmental Analysis of the Effects of Regulation 2023/1115/EU on the European Leather Sector” conducted by the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies of the University of Pisa between December 2023 and September 2024 contains important technical, socio-economic and environmental assessments regarding the relationship between bovine hides/leathers and deforestation and the effects, on the relevant European supply chain, of its inclusion in the EUDR.

Please find below the main conclusions of the analysis.

- No direct link to deforestation. The study, supported by extensive technical analysis (over 94 million documents, more than 29,200 active periodicals, over 330,000 books) and 28 interviews with stakeholders, found no direct link between leather and deforestation. Leather is a by-product from cattle raised for meat and milk and its production does not encourage cattle farming or affect it in any way.

- Severe economic and social impact. The EUDR's stringent traceability requirements risk severely compromising European bovine hides supplies, leaving European tanners without the necessary raw materials. This would lead to a sharp decline in EU tanning production (estimated to be up to more than a third), the closure of many companies and significant job losses across the entire supply chain.

- Greater environmental risks. The study warns that the aforementioned short-circuiting of the European leather industry due to the EUDR and the replacement of leather with synthetic alternatives, i.e. polyurethane materials, could seriously lead to a greater environmental impact, in terms of increased emissions and resource use. Diverting cowhides to landfills or countries with lower environmental standards would ultimately undermine the goals of the Green Deal.

From the following links you can download the following original documents in English:

- Highlights of the study
- Executive Summary
- Full analysis

International Council of Tanners
PO Box 71, Llangollen, LL20 9BP
Tel: +44 (0) 7513 412569
Email: sec@leather-council.org Website: www.leather-council.org

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Thursday, 25 September 2025 5:21 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  Europe.tmad; s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: RE: Webinar Preparation and Agenda – Australia-EU Industry Engagement [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
Categories: Accioned, Accion

Some people who received this message don't often get email from s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Learn why this is important

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Many thanks for your understanding, and for agreeing to postpone the webinar under these circumstances.

In case it is helpful to answer some questions stakeholders have raised, I wanted to nevertheless share a couple of links to informatory documents with you, in case you would like to forward these. Of course important to mention that the documents may be subject to change in light of latest developments.

- Link to the updated Guidance document (with detailed information about conversion of land &amp; agricultural use in Chapter 11 and information on other points, such as invasive alien species): Guidance on the EUDR
- Website of The Information System of the Deforestation Regulation - European Commission with a description of the geolocation format, training videos and dates, as well as an e-mail address for questions of purely technical nature. You can also find the Implementing Regulation on the Information System on that website
- Link to subscribe to our newsletter for latest information
- Link to the Frequently Asked Questions on the EUDR (with information on digital implementation in Chapter 7)
- List of appointed competent authorities

I hope that these resources are helpful, and once again, apologies for the last-minute changes!

Kind regards,

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
– International Forest Policy

European Commission

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Directorate-General for Environment
Planetary Common Goods, Universal Values &amp; Environmental Security
DG ENV.F.1
s 22(1)(a)(ii) 1049 Brussels, Belgium
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment
Follow us on: [f] [t] [e] [h] [i]

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  @aff.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 2:19 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  @aff.gov.au&gt;; Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>;
s 22(1)(a)(ii)  @aff.gov.au&gt;; s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: RE: Webinar Preparation and Agenda – Australia-EU Industry Engagement [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hello s 22(1)(a)(ii)

No need to apologise, we appreciate that it must have been a very busy start to the week for you. We agree to postpone the webinar until such time as we have more clarity on the implementation timeframe.

We have just sent out a cancellation notice to invitees advising them that we've agreed between us to postpone until a later time when we'll be better placed to present on implementation timelines and plans.

We'll monitor the delay developments closely and be in touch again on the webinar to arrange a new time when there's greater clarity.

Best regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Director | US, Canada &amp; Europe Desk
Phone: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | Mob: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Trade &amp; International Division | Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

![img-19.jpeg](img-19.jpeg)

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

OFFICIAL

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 6:58 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  @aff.gov.au&gt;; Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

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Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@aff.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Webinar Preparation and Agenda – Australia-EU Industry Engagement [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Some people who received this message don't often get email from s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Learn why this is important
Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Many thanks for your message, and please accept my deep apologies for the fact that I was not able to make it for the test call this morning.

# s 22(1)(a)(ii)

I just tried to reach you on the phone, but can imagine that you are probably out of the office by now.

Unfortunately, given the drastically changed circumstances, the webinar might change in terms of content, and I am therefore thinking if a postponement might not make sense, since I will not able to provide a lot of clarity about the way forward at this stage.

If you think that a cancellation / postponement is an option, feel free to let me know, and I would be happy to hold the webinar at an alternative date and time (maybe mid / end October).

Once again, apologies for the unfortunate circumstances,

Kind regards,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@aff.gov.au&gt;
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 8:08 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
S 22(1)(a)(ii)
Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@aff.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Webinar Preparation and Agenda – Australia-EU Industry Engagement [SEC=OFFICIAL]

# OFFICIAL

Hi s 22(1)(a)(ii)

I hope this email find you well.

We are looking forward to the webinar test tomorrow. Please find attached a selection of questions we have received from industry and stakeholders, which you may wish to address in your presentation.

For context, Australia's beef and timber sectors are expected to be the most impacted by the EUDR based on the trade volumes. Overarchingly, stakeholders are concerned with the application of EU definitions and concepts to the Australia context. The beef sector's main concerns relate to how the regulation interacts with open grazing systems, particularly where vegetation management occurs amongst what's still semi-natural landscapes for purposes such as managing invasive native weeds or preserving native pastures suitable for grazing.

s 22(1)(a)(ii) Director of the Europe Trade Desk here, will open the session with a short 10 minute presentation outlining recent actions by the Australian Government, some basics on what the Australian Government's role is versus EU authorities, and on what Australia's exporters role will be vs European importers, and some of the tools and resources available to support compliance.</europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

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He will then throw to you for your presentation. Following this he'll take questions, which we'll filter through the Teams Live chat function and either direct them to you or to himself to answer.

I hope this information is helpful for your preparation. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Kind regards,

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Senior Policy Officer
United States, Canada and Europe | International Organisations and Negotiations Branch
Trade and International Division
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Agriculture House, 70 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
GPO Box 858, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Agriculture.gov.au

![img-20.jpeg](img-20.jpeg)

# Growing Australia's prosperity through trade.
Agricultural Trade and Regulation Group

# OFFICIAL

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Thursday, 11 September 2025 1:54 AM
To: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)  @aff.gov.au&gt;
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)  @aff.gov.au&gt;
Subject: RE: Webinar Preparation and Agenda – Australia-EU Industry Engagement [SEC=OFFICIAL]

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Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Thanks a lot for reaching out, and I appreciate the idea of a technical test.

Would it also be possible for you to do the test on 24 September at the proposed time? I am out of office on the 22nd and have a private commitment in the morning of the 23rd at the suggested time. If 24 September is not possible on your end, I could be in the office on 23 September from around 9:30 Brussels time / 17:30 Canberra time, hence we could alternatively do the test a bit later that day maybe. Just let me know what you prefer!

Thank you very much also for sharing the agenda. Do you already have a list of registered participants? Also, if there are technical questions from different sectors, or specific areas of interest in terms of updates, I would very much appreciate in case this can be shared with me a couple of days ahead of the workshop, as this will allow a more fruitful discussion.

Kind regards,

s 22(1)(a)(ii)</europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)
- International Forest Policy
Page 21 of 27

![img-21.jpeg](img-21.jpeg)

# European Commission

Directorate-General for Environment

Planetary Common Goods, Universal Values &amp; Environmental Security

DG ENV.F.1

s 22(1)(a)(ii) 1049 Brussels, Belgium
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment

Follow us on:

From: Europe.tmad <europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 7:03 AM

To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@aff.gov.au&gt;

Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@aff.gov.au&gt;

Subject: Webinar Preparation and Agenda – Australia-EU Industry Engagement [SEC=OFFICIAL]

# OFFICIAL

Hi s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Allow me to introduce myself - I'm s 22(1)(a)(ii) working with the Australian Government at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, within the Trade and International Division. I'm reaching out as the webinar with Australia is fast approaching. Thank you once again for kindly agreeing to present to our industry participants.

To ensure the session runs smoothly, we are organising a brief 10-minute technical test to familiarise ourselves with the system. During the test, we will check the microphone, audio, and power point presentation and Q&amp;A setup.

Could you please confirm if Monday, 22 September at 8:30 am Brussels/ 16:30 Canberra time works for you? If not, we could do Tuesday at the same time.

Please below the agenda for Thursday, 25 September.

AGENDA

|  Item | Topic | Speaker | Time  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  1. | Opening Remarks | s 22(1)(a)(ii) US, Canada & EU Desk, DAFF | 5 minutes  |
|  2. | EUDR Implementation | s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii) DG Environment, European Commission | 20 minutes  |
|  3. | Q&A | - | 15 minutes  |
|  4. | Closing Remarks | s 22(1)(a)(ii) US, Canada & EU Desk, DAFF | 5 minutes  |

Kind regards,

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Senior Policy Officer</europe.tmad@aff.gov.au>

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United States, Canada and Europe | International Organisations and Negotiations Branch

Trade and International Division

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Ph: s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Agriculture House, 70 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

GPO Box 858, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

Agriculture.gov.au

![img-22.jpeg](img-22.jpeg)

# Growing Australia's prosperity through trade.

Agricultural Trade and Regulation Group

## OFFICIAL

IMPORTANT - This email and any attachments have been issued by the Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth). The material transmitted is for the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential, legally privileged, copyright or personal information. You should not copy, use or disclose it without authorisation from the Commonwealth. It is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening or forwarding them. If you are not an intended recipient, please contact the sender of this email at once by return email and then delete both messages. Unintended recipients must not copy, use, disclose, rely on or publish this email or attachments. The Commonwealth is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from unauthorised use or dissemination of, or any reliance on, this email or attachments. If you have received this e-mail as part of a valid mailing list and no longer want to receive a message such as this one, advise the sender by return e-mail accordingly. This notice should not be deleted or altered ---

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Wednesday, 7 January 2026 3:20 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: Australia representation on EUDR skins and hides exemption [SEC=OFFICIAL]

# OFFICIAL

Dear Commissioner s 22(1)(a)(ii)

I wish you and your team a happy new year and all the best for 2026.

Last year I met you with Ambassador s 22(1)(a)(ii) for his introductory meeting at the beginning of his post to Brussels. We appreciated your practical consideration in the discussion around exemption of cattle skins and hides from EUDR requirements.

We were disappointed that under recent proposals for simplification of the EUDR that this exemption was not included as one of the measures. Australia will continue to make representations and although the EUDR is not under your remit, we are interested if you have any advice as to how we may gain traction in pursuing this exemption.

Kind regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Minister Counsellor, Agriculture | s 22(1)(a)(ii) | s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Australian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg
Mission to NATO and the EU
Avenue des Arts 56, 1000 Brussels
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

![img-23.jpeg](img-23.jpeg)
AUSTRALIA

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s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Saturday, 17 January 2026 12:46 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: EUDR: Australia seeks hides exemption [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

I hope you are well and a happy new year!

You may remember you hosted my self and my colleagues about a year ago. At that meeting we covered a number of topics including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

One of the elements of EUDR we are still hoping to achieve some simplification on is around the inclusion of skins and hides. We have been highlighting that land clearing is not taking place for the purpose of increasing the skins and hides recovery. In some markets, up to 30 or 40% of hides end up in landfill. Compliance with EUDR is particularly tricky for the sector as non-EU supplying cattle producers have little incentive to collect the necessary data to pass to tanneries (hide value less than 5% of carcass). It is important to note that an impact assessment was never carried out on the link between hides and deforestation or the impact on industry.

From conversations with DG AGRI, there seems to be an appreciation of this issue. Australia was also recently encouraged by the co-legislators deciding to deliver further simplification by removing paper products, which suffer from similar issues.

From a December stakeholder meeting hosted by DG ENVI, we understand its view is that the simplification report promised in April is unlikely to result in a delegated act to remove further products from the scope.

At this stage, we would appreciate any advice on other avenues to ensure the case of skins and hides has been thoroughly reconsidered by the EU.

Warm Regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

![img-24.jpeg](img-24.jpeg)
AUSTRALIA

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Minister Counsellor | Agriculture, Fisheries &amp; Forestry
Australian Mission to the EU &amp; NATO,
Embassy to Belgium &amp; Luxembourg
Avenue des Arts 56, 1000 Brussels
s 22(1)(a)(ii) | s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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Page 25 of 27

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Mondav. 26 January 2026 11:07 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii) Dawr Brussels
Subject: Australia feedback EUDR Simplification: Letter Ambassador s 22(1)(a)(ii) [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Attachments: 20260126 Australia Amb s 22(1)(a)(ii) to DG s 22(1)(a)(ii) - EUDR Simplification.pdf

OFFICIAL

Dear Director General

Please find attached a letter from the Australian Ambassador to the EU Mission, His Excellency, s 22(1)(a)(ii) providing feedback on the EUDR simplification process.

s 33(a)(iii)

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

![img-25.jpeg](img-25.jpeg)

AUSTRALIA

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Minister Counsellor|Agriculture, Fisheries &amp; Forestry
Australian Mission to the EU &amp; NATO,
Embassy to Belgium &amp; Luxembourg
Avenue des Arts 56, 1000 Brussels
s 22(1)(a)(ii) | s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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# s 33(a)(iii),s 22(1)(a)(ii)

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# s 33(a)(iii),s 22(1)(a)(ii)