‘Despite progress, deforestation is continuing at alarming rates’: Europe’s business leaders call on EU to set standards for internal market

All the signatories call on the EU to put in place measures to scale up the use of innovative technologies to improve supply chain traceability, as well as stronger cooperation with producing countries to ensure that forests are protected and restored.

The joint statement​ says: “Global deforestation is a pressing challenge for society and for our companies. We acknowledge that our businesses have a responsibility in this fight because our supply chains are global and include commodities that may contribute to deforestation. ​

“This is why we are committed to ending deforestation in our supply chains and have implemented measures to this end over the last ten years. ​

“However, despite progress, deforestation is continuing at alarming rates. Deforestation does not only impact the climate - it is also linked to biodiversity loss and an increased risk of pandemics. That is why putting an end to deforestation once and for all must be an urgent priority for our businesses and for the world.”​

Nestlé said its decade-long experience in eliminating deforestation in its key supply chains has shown that no single approach can do it all.

The joint statement, which includes cocoa supplier Barry Callebaut along with supermarket giants Carrefour and Tesco,  builds on a joint position paper co-signed by Nestlé and over 50 other companies and non-profits in December 2020, calling on the EU to tackle the different factors that drive deforestation and impact the livelihoods of farmers and their communities.

Supply chain transparency

Nestlé announced it will continue to work with all stakeholders and share its leading experience in supply chain transparency, traceability, and implementing its forest positive strategy.

In its own statement the company said: “In addition to achieving transparent supply chains, more collective action between companies, governments and civil society is needed to end deforestation. This collective action will be incentivised if there is a clear set of rules that pushes companies to take impactful action on the ground to protect human rights and the environment. More intense dialogue between major consumer and producing countries, as well as steering flows of finance and investment towards sustainable activities and supply chains, will both be essential to ensure a fair international trade system.”​

Nestlé said it will help shape EU measures that protect and restore forests, promote sustainable food production and thriving communities, and create a forest positive future for all - and the EU is in a strong position to set standards across global value chains.