EU-lead talks explore ways to boost cocoa sustainability

FAO has been actively engaged in the EU multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable cocoa, which delivered concrete recommendations to advance sustainability across the cocoa supply chain through collective action and partnerships with a particular focus on Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. This month, the EU Cocoa Talks - the EU's virtual roundtables on sustainable cocoa, focused on traceability in value chains and issues like child labour and deforestation. It explored options to strengthen human rights and reduce negative environmental impacts along the supply chain.

Speakers included the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) with its Director, Carla Montesi and acting Director Erica Gerretsen; Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENV) with its Head of Unit Hugo Schally, and Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), with Head of Unit Lluis Prats, as well as representatives from various institutions in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, major cocoa-producing countries.

Participants agreed on the need to build on existing traceability systems and involve key actors and approaches at all levels. They also emphasized the need to reduce poverty in order to prevent and fight child labour and deforestation in cocoa and other agri-food value chains.

Earlier in March, the findings of a related study offered various approaches to tackle child labour in cocoa production. The study, “Guilt free chocolate?Ending Child Labour in the Cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana”, was presented in a virtual event organized by DG INTPA. Potential solutions raised include strengthening the involvement of multi-stakeholder platforms and partnership initiatives; boosting the focus on local development planning and implementation; and strengthening farmer-based organizations and other community groups. The study also noted the need to improve education and training, youth employment opportunities, poverty reduction, and opportunities for decent work in sustainable environments.

In addition, the European Union Delegation in Ghana organized a National Dialogue on Sustainable Cocoa, - mirroring the broader EU multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable cocoa - which was opened by Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana, Ambassador Diana Acconcia. Participants pointed to good practices such as better tracing and certification of cocoa, and fair trade practices. Speakers agreed on the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in the development of a more equitable cocoa value chain in Ghana.

The next EU Cocoa Talk is scheduled for 20 April 2021 and will examine regulations with a focus on due diligence.

Additional interactions and events within the framework of the EU multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable cocoa will take place in the coming months and FAO will be actively involved, bringing its expertise and field experience to feed into these important discussions.

The EU multi-stakeholder dialogue for sustainable cocoa is an initiative of the European Union launched in September 2020 in support of a sustainable cocoa sector. It is aligned with the EU Green Deal and the EU's zero tolerance approach on child labour. This initiative will run throughout the period of September 2020- July 2021 to culminate with a plenary session in Autumn 2021.

More information on the multi-stakeholder dialogue for sustainable cocoa is available here.