Full statement here. Text copied below.
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The Cocoa Coalition, which comprises companies and civil society and other organisations in the cocoa and chocolate sector,* has consistently supported the introduction of the EUDR.
We welcome the publication of the guidance and updated FAQ document by the European Commission on 2 October. We will study them closely, and look forward to further clarifications as soon as possible.
We note the Commission’s proposal to delay implementation by twelve months, and call for this to be adopted as speedily as possible, without amendment, in order to give companies as much certainty as possible on the revised timetable.
We strongly oppose reopening the substance of the EUDR for new negotiations, and urge policymakers to resist any such suggestion. This would serve only to impede the smooth passage of the proposal, increase uncertainty and jeopardise the significant investments our member companies have made in preparing for its application.
We also call on the Commission, member states and the corporate sector to provide appropriate support for the implementation of the EUDR for smallholder farmers and their organisations so that the costs of compliance are not passed to them and they are not excluded from the EU market due to a lack of resources.
* The Cocoa Coalition consists of companies (Ferrero, The Hershey Company, Mars Wrigley, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Tony’s Chocolonely, Unilever), and civil society and other organisations (Fairtrade International, Fair Trade Advocacy Office, International Cocoa Initiative, IDH, Rainforest Alliance, Solidaridad, VOICE Network). See here for more information.