The president of the Association for Forest Conservation and the merchants of Carco de Coal Green, also known as the legality of Charcoal, Omolola Johnson, has said that it is very important that Nigeria meets the deadline of December 2025 for the European Union (EU), regulation of deforestation.
The regulation, according to the EU, aimed to minimize deforestation and forest degradation associated with agricultural raw materials imported to the European Union.
Johnson, announced this during the training program organized in the regulation of the deforestation of the European Union, held at the Mini Hall Hotel of the University of Ibadan, in Ibadan, the capital of the state of Oyo.
She postulated that Nigeria could be expelled from the export of wood and coal to European countries if it does not meet with the deadline of December 2025.
Johnson said: “Wood is not the main driver of deforestation, but agriculture, housing and population. We have had experience throughout the years of compliance with the EU law that gave coal and wood exporters an advantage to understand EU expectations in legality, standards and certification.
“That is the great importance of this training. It is to help Nigerians understand the regulation so that we can join hands from the base level to be able to work with the government and all interested parties to ensure that we domesticate where it is necessary and obtain the support of the government and the base level.
“The home of all participants is that it will not be a business as always. It is not in our benefits if it does not meet, this was an extension granted by the EU for one year. It was supposed to enter into force since January 1, 2025, but has extended until December 3, 2025. For January 1, 2026, it will be implemented.
“We need to make hay while the sun and everyone must rise on board, otherwise we will not be able to export our products to the EU. The problem is that, customs, the importer cannot clear them to Europe unless it can be demonstrated that good income does not cause deforestation.