"Cargill beefs up pledge to end cocoa deforestation", 17 December 2018

One of the world's largest agri-businesses has unveiled ambitious new plans to end deforestation in its cocoa supply chain, pledging to enhance traceability across its key supplier markets. Cargill last week launched the Protect Our Planet plan, setting out how it intends to "eliminate deforestation from its cocoa supply chain".

... the multinational giant said that by next year it will achieve 100 per cent direct supply chain traceability in Ivory Coast and pledge to ensure "no further conversion" of any forest land in Ghana and Ivory Coast for cocoa production. The plan will then be expanded... to... Brazil, Indonesia, and Cameroon.

"We recognise there is considerable urgency to address climate and deforestation challenges," said Cargill cocoa and chocolate president, Harold Poelma "...We have made important first steps but there is more to be done and we believe that this action plan is how we will reach our goal."...

Under the programme, the company said it will ensure supply chain traceability, expand environmental and labour rights standards, engage with suppliers to improve best practices, and report on its progress...