The meeting, entitled ‘Sustainable Supply Chains at Work: Putting the EUDR into Practice’, was held in the run-up to the conclusion of the European Commission's review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), scheduled for publication on 30 April. 

It was hosted by Delara Burkhardt MEP (S&D), with contributions also from Pascal Canfin MEP (Renew), Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP (EPP) and Catarina Vieira MEP (Greens/EFA), and with comments from Monika Hencsey, Director, Green Diplomacy & Multilateralism, DG Environment, European Commission.

The EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition has been active in making the case for strong and effective EU legislation to protect forests, ensure respect for human rights, and secure resilient sourcing for European businesses and consumers. 

As a major importer of agricultural and timber commodities, conditions placed by the EU on the ways in which those commodities are produced and exported can reinforce the incentives for sustainable production. And EU regulation of companies based in or operating in EU member states can help to address environmental and human rights harms in business operations and supply chains. 

MEP Delara Burkhardt, S&D Shadow Rapporteur on the EU Deforestation Regulation, said: ‘Businesses are ready to deliver on sustainable supply chains. The EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition shows that the transition is already under way. What is needed now is certainty. The EU’s anti-deforestation rules must be implemented without further delay. Anything else would reward those who hold back.’

Francesco Tramontin, Vice President Global Public Affairs, Ferrero, said: ‘Ferrero is pleased to join with companies, NGOs and other stakeholders in calling for ambitious EU action. We will only deliver lasting change if we collaborate across the value chain so we can amplify impact, share best practices, and move in the same direction. By tackling deforestation, climate change and human rights risks, we can safeguard value and ensure thriving and resilient supply chains.’

Laure Gregoire, Spokesperson, Alliance pour la Préservation des Forêts (Alliance for the Preservation of Forests), commented: ‘The EUDR is a crucial element in the framework of EU laws tackling the impacts of EU consumption, in this case the deforestation associated with logging and farming in many producer countries. We call on the Commission not to reopen the EUDR at the conclusion of its review this month. To do so would undermine trust in the EU’s regulatory commitments, penalise those companies that have taken early action to prepare for the EUDR, and reward the laggards.’

Antonie Fountain, Managing Director VOCAL Coffee Alliance and VOICE Cocoa Network, added: ‘The EU has enormous potential to help tackle human rights abuses, climate change and deforestation world-wide. Legislation such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, Forced Labour Regulation and EUDR, and EU trade and investment agreements and development cooperation, can all help to change conditions on the ground, delivering sustainable farming and logging practices.’

For more information about the EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-sustainable-supply-chains-coalition.

For any media enquiries regarding the EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition, please contact: Duncan Brack (Coalition Facilitator) at dbrack@dbrack.org.uk.

The current membership of the EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition is:

• Alliance pour la Préservation des Forêts – Alliance for the Preservation of Forests
• Barry Callebaut
• Better Cotton Initiative
• ETG
• Fairtrade International
• Fair Trade Advocacy Office 
• Ferrero
• The Hershey Company
• International Cocoa Initiative
• IDH
• Mars Wrigley
• Nestlé
• Rainforest Alliance
• Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil
• Solidaridad
• Sucden
• Tony’s Chocolonely
• VOCAL Coffee Alliance
• VOICE Cocoa Network
• Observers
• Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux – International Tropical Timber Technical Association
• CAOBISCO
• European Cocoa Association