Intertribal Timber Council Criticizes European Commission's EUDR Simplification

Intertribal Timber Council Voices Concerns Over EUDR Revisions

The Intertribal Timber Council (ITC) has publicly expressed its strong dissatisfaction in response to the European Commission's recent simplification of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). According to the ITC, the proposed measures fail to significantly alleviate burdens placed on Indigenous tribal communities in forest resource management. The reform does not adequately address pressing issues raised by these communities, and instead, maintains existing compliance obligations that disproportionately affect low-risk forest resource stewardship.

Cody Desautel, the ITC’s president and executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, emphasized that Indigenous tribal communities are among the world’s most successful forest stewards. However, he lamented that the European Commission continues to treat these sustainable management systems with the same scrutiny as regions engaged in rampant deforestation. Desautel stated, "This is not risk-based policy. It reflects a failure to recognize the management systems, sustainable practices, and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples."

The ITC highlighted that U.S. Indigenous communities manage approximately 7.8 million acres of forest land under sovereign governance systems. These systems are guided by long-term forest management plans, active reforestation initiatives, controlled burning practices, and sustainable logging standards aimed at conserving forests for future generations.

While the ITC and Indigenous communities support the European Union's goal of preventing global deforestation, there are significant concerns regarding how the existing EUDR framework disrupts supply chains for American forest products even before the regulation takes full effect in December 2026. As wood products intended for the EU market in 2026 are harvested now, tribal producers already encounter new compliance requirements stemming from contracts with processors and customer expectations.

Desautel noted, "It’s a paradox that cannot be ignored: legislation aimed at forest protection is creating barriers for Indigenous nations that have been safeguarding these forests for generations."

The ITC is calling on the European Commission to recognize the forests managed by U.S. Indigenous communities as low-risk systems protected by law. They are advocating for streamlined geolocation requirements for Indigenous forestry operations in low-risk areas, temporary compliance flexibility during the implementation phase, and the initiation of robust intergovernmental consultations with tribal communities prior to finalizing enforcement mechanisms.

Founded in 1976, the Intertribal Timber Council is a national non-profit organization formed by a coalition of Indian tribes, Alaskan Native corporations, and individuals. Its mission is to enhance the management of natural resources vital to Indigenous American communities.

As the debate over deforestation regulations continues, the ITC's concerns underscore the need for policymakers to adequately consider the unique practices and rights of Indigenous peoples in crafting environmental legislation.