[The] national forestry authority in Peru (SERFOR) issued a public statement confirming the illegal operations of United Cacao’s subsidiary in the country, clarifying, once again that the company does not have the required environmental approval. Citing large scale illegal deforestation that has taken place without this approval, which has been verified by the relevant authority inside Peru’s Ministry of Agriculture, DGAAA, the statement outlines the actions taken by various Peruvian government entities to halt the operations of the company and the large scale illegal deforestation that has already taken place. SERFOR further called upon the London Stock Exchange to support the Peruvian government’s enforcement actions by requiring listed companies to fully comply with the laws and policies of countries of operation…The government statement reinforces the clear need for protection of environmental defenders who are being threatened for speaking out against the illegal expansion of agro-commodity crops in the Peruvian Amazon. Whether for oil palm, cacao, or timber, companies seeking to supply goods to the global marketplace must respect local laws that protect communities and the environment…Read the full statement from SERFOR here…Read EIA’s sign on letter here…Read EIA’s briefing, London Stock Exchange Financing for Illegal Deforestation in Peru via AIM-listed United Cacao Ltd. SEZC, here…Read the Annexes containing primary evidence here.