Downtown Africa
Nestle Zone EMENA, which includes the North African region, has joined other business leaders across the food industry to support ambitious action by the European Union to increase supply chain transparency and traceability for commodities that may be linked to deforestation.
In the joint statement signed by 11 companies, including Nestle Zone EMENA, the group called for strong EU actions in eliminating imported deforestation, starting with traceability when entering the EU internal market. The group explained that there is need for a clear legal framework that puts everyone on a level playing field and provides supply-chain actors with incentives to address the risks of deforestation. It also stated that there must be collective transparency, and a realistic timeline for implementation of the framework, and efforts to support farmers and their communities.
According to the group, leveraging techniques such as GPS coordinates should be used by companies to provide information related to the origin of the products when entering in the Union’s internal market. Accordingly, the EU is asked to put in place measures to scale up the use of innovative technologies to improve supply chain traceability as well as stronger cooperation with producing countries to ensure that forests are protected and restored.This report was submitted by our Independent Reporter, Onyinyechi Cynthia (Nigeria). You too can start earning money by becoming our Independent Reporter. Contact us at IR@downtownafrica.com
