Tony’s Chocolonely calls for EU Commission to re-visit proposals for year-long delay to EUDR laws
Cocoa farming in Ghana. Pic: Shutterstock
Dutch confectionery impact brand, Tony’s Chocolonely has added to calls upon the EU Commission to urgently re-evaluate its proposed 12 month delay to the introduction of EUDR landmark laws governing deforestation linked to supply chains, writes Neill Barston.
As the Amsterdam headquartered business asserted, studies have revealed that West African cocoa producing nations are anticipated to struggle with production within the next two decades as they faced combined factors of climate change, crop disease, as well as battling against inflation that has impacted on the cost of key agricultural fertilisers over the past few years that has placed a significant strain on many smallholder operations.
For its part, Tony’s Chocolonely issued a statement urging a re-appraisal on the legislative delay – which the EU has said will be voted on by the European Parliament, in the wake of concerns from stakeholders over how the regulations would be implemented. Confectionery Production also revealed serious environmental concerns over delaying the legislation expressed by campaign group, Mighty Earth, as it also asserted that any pushback of the deadlines – which were agreed by the European Parliament over 18 months ago, would have major implications for producing nations.
However, the issue has proved divisive, with the legislation covering a number of commodities including cocoa, palm oil, soy and rubber, with some producing nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil, welcoming a greater amount of time to handle the incoming major raft of laws, including a parallel corporate due diligence directive also coming from the EU designed to further strengthen mandatory controls over deforestation, environmental protection and human rights within core supply chains.
It has been reported that up to 20 European nations have stated they are not ready to start the scheme on its existing proposed start date of EUDR laws on 30 December 2024, with extensive lobbying on the issue, including from the German Chancellor, who reportedly called for an extension of six months additional implementation time last month.
In a statement on its position, Tony’s Chocolonely, which was among keynote speakers at our World Confectionery Conference last month in Brussels, Belgium, said: “Delaying our collective fight against deforestation puts progress on hold. And the European Commission should see that, too. Instead, they’re proposing to delay the European Union Deforestation Regulation (#EUDR) by an extra 12 months, pushing the deadline to December 2025.
“But our planet can’t wait that long.The proposed delay is concerning, as research shows that by 2050, huge areas of Ghana + Côte d’Ivoire are projected to become unsuitable for cocoa production, affecting generations of farmers. We can’t let that happen.
“Cocoa farmers are already feeling the heat from #climatechange, with production dropping by about 30% – making it nearly impossible for farmers to earn a living income, even with higher cocoa prices.
We need urgent action to protect the planet and stop cocoa-driven deforestation. And given the new guidance issued, meeting the original timeline was possible. We urge the EU Commission to reject any further delays and to keep their commitment towards the planet and its people.”
