Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- comply /kuhm-PLAHY/
- commodity /kuh-MOD-i-tee/
- originate /uh-RIJ-uh-neyt/
- reliance /ri-LAHY-uhns/
- curb /kurb/
[verb] – to act according to an order, set of rules, or request
The company must comply with the safety regulations to ensure workplace well-being.
[noun] – a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold
Coffee and cocoa are popular commodities in international trade due to their high demand.
[verb] – to come from a particular place, time, situation, etc.
The antique vase originated in ancient Greece and dates back to the 5th century BC.
[noun] – the state of depending on or trusting in something or someone
Our reliance on technology has significantly increased with the advent of smartphones and the internet.
[verb] – to control or limit something that is not wanted
Efforts to curb pollution include stricter emissions regulations and increased reliance on renewable energy sources.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The European Union’s new law, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to be enforced by late 2024, is causing ripples in the coffee industry. Importers in the EU are pulling back orders from small farmers in places like Ethiopia due to the law banning goods tied to deforestation, a major cause of climate change. This shift in buying patterns might harm small-scale farmers and raise prices for consumers in the EU. Moreover, it risks undermining the intended impact of the law on forest conservation.
Companies like Dallmayr, a German roaster, foresee difficulties in buying Ethiopian coffee in significant quantities because the beans they purchase now must comply with the future law, even before its finalization. The law requires importers to prove that their commodities, like coffee, cocoa, soy, and others, did not originate from deforested areas or face fines. This digital tracing of supply chains down to small farms is challenging, particularly in remote regions with poor internet access and complex land ownership issues. While the EU aims to assist producing countries and small farmers in complying with the law, there are concerns about its feasibility. Some major producers, like Ivory Coast and Ghana, might face difficulties due to their reliance on local intermediaries and the law’s impact on protected forests. Redirecting goods to non-EU markets and the segmentation of supply chains might reduce the law’s effect on forest conservation and lead to increased food prices within the EU. Overall, the EUDR’s implications are complex, involving economic, environmental, and social considerations. It is presenting challenges for small farmers and importers while aiming to curb deforestation linked to global trade in various commodities.
Companies like Dallmayr, a German roaster, foresee difficulties in buying Ethiopian coffee in significant quantities because the beans they purchase now must comply with the future law, even before its finalization. The law requires importers to prove that their commodities, like coffee, cocoa, soy, and others, did not originate from deforested areas or face fines. This digital tracing of supply chains down to small farms is challenging, particularly in remote regions with poor internet access and complex land ownership issues. While the EU aims to assist producing countries and small farmers in complying with the law, there are concerns about its feasibility. Some major producers, like Ivory Coast and Ghana, might face difficulties due to their reliance on local intermediaries and the law’s impact on protected forests. Redirecting goods to non-EU markets and the segmentation of supply chains might reduce the law’s effect on forest conservation and lead to increased food prices within the EU. Overall, the EUDR’s implications are complex, involving economic, environmental, and social considerations. It is presenting challenges for small farmers and importers while aiming to curb deforestation linked to global trade in various commodities.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you or anyone you know been involved in or affected by agricultural practices tied to international trade regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation’s impact on coffee farmers in Ethiopia or other regions? If yes, how has this regulation affected your or their involvement in the agricultural industry? If not, how do you perceive the potential impact of trade regulations on small-scale farmers in countries reliant on agricultural exports?
- Have you ever encountered challenges or difficulties in ensuring that the products you use or consume comply with certain environmental regulations? If yes, what steps have you taken or would you take to ensure that the products you buy adhere to environmental regulations? If not, how important do you think it is for consumers to consider the environmental impact of products they purchase?
- Do you agree that ensuring compliance with environmental regulations like the EUDR is crucial, even if it poses challenges to international trade and supply chains?
- How might the EU Deforestation Regulation strike a balance between its intended goal of conserving forests and the potential negative impacts on small-scale farmers and trade relationships with producing countries?
- In what ways do you think international regulations like the EUDR can be effectively implemented to achieve environmental goals without unduly harming small farmers or distorting global trade in commodities like coffee and cocoa?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- cocoa
- soy
- ownership
- implication
- deforestation