Olam is absolutely clear that deforestation by cocoa smallholders must be halted which is why it is a key focus in our sustainability programmes around the world. The issue is also well recognised at an industry level with Olam being a co-founder of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) which now encompasses 34 other companies. Together with the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana CFI will present a detailed action plan at the UN Climate Talks (COP23) in November. However, there is no fast answer. Deforestation by cocoa farmers is a direct result of entrenched poverty, which Olam and many of our peers, customers and NGO partners, have been tackling for several years. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana the Governments set the price of cocoa but farm yields are low. In these emerging markets, cocoa farmers often lack education and resources, unaware of techniques to maintain soil fertility, and unable to afford fertilisers. The solution for many is to farm on fertile forest soils. Since 2009, Olam has been working with Ivoirian farmers to improve productivity and incomes, providing agri and environmental training, credit, as well as health and educational infrastructure. In 2011 we began working with Rainforest Alliance to produce the world’s first climate friendly cocoa with farmers in Ghana, and our programmes have increasingly included measures to protect forests. Today, over 85,000 cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire and 30,000 in Ghana are in Olam Livelihood Charter programmes which include focus areas on deforestation, and the planting of shade and forestry trees...A significant issue is traceability...In addition to our own initiatives, the actions proposed under CFI are already designed to take into account the entrenched poverty whilst embedding sustainable smallholder practices.