Major chocolate producers, including Nestle, Mars Wrigley, and Ferrero, have thrown their weight behind the European Union’s (EU) upcoming ban on deforestation-linked imports. However, this support comes amid growing pressure from industry groups and the U.S. government to delay the policy’s implementation.
The EU’s deforestation law, set to take effect on December 30, mandates companies to prove their supply chains are deforestation-free. This stringent regulation targets products like cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and others.
While some industry leaders support the law’s intent, they express concerns about its feasibility. A joint paper by Nestle, Mars Wrigley, and Ferrero acknowledges the law’s importance but highlights the need for additional support from the EU.
Specifically, the companies urge the creation of a committee to guide implementation and address challenges like legal interpretations and due diligence requirements. They argue this assistance is crucial for companies to comply by the December deadline.
Conversely, industry groups and the U.S. government oppose the law. They claim the EU’s compliance systems are underdeveloped and the policy is impractical, especially regarding tracing products to their origins in small forest plots.
The EU remains steadfast in its stance, emphasizing the urgency of addressing deforestation. Data reveals a staggering 10% of global forests vanished between 1990 and 2020. Moreover, deforestation linked to EU commodity imports caused at least 120 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2021-2022.
The battle lines are drawn. The outcome of this clash will significantly impact the global fight against deforestation and the future of sustainable supply chains.
Reference- Reuters article, National Geographic, The Guardian, EU Deforestation Law website