FEDIOL statement on stepping up action against deforestation
Date
23 Jul 2019
Sections
Agriculture & Food
Climate & Environment
Brussels, 23 July 2019 – Today the European Commission released its Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests, giving a clear signal on the need for all relevant actors to engage in the transformation of their supply chains via active commitment and support.
FEDIOL welcomes the release of the Communication which is pursuing the establishment of a comprehensive EU framework with a detailed list of actions articulated around five main priority actions. “We have always believed that action to curb deforestation is more efficient when addressed at origin”, said John Grossmann, President of FEDIOL. “Hence,
we support the inclusion of the priority aimed at working in partnerships with producing countries to reduce pressure on forests and promote their sustainable management”.
At the same time, actions to reduce demand for commodities associated with deforestation can be complementary to supply-side initiatives. Envisaged interventions – such as establishing a platform for multi-stakeholder and Member States dialogue, fostering the transparency and uptake of voluntary commitments and promoting deforestation-free
products and services through green public procurement – should contribute to an enhanced political momentum.
FEDIOL companies sourcing commodities at risk of causing deforestation have been, over the last decade, strongly engaged in voluntary supply chain transformation. FEDIOL has also been involved in the development and promotion of certified or verified sustainable production of palm and soy coming to Europe. However, creating mainstream sustainable supplies remains complex and requires a careful balancing of ambitious EU objectives and effectiveness of the measures at origin. FEDIOL and its members are committed to share their experience and to sustain and reinforce their activities in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders and authorities.
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FEDIOL represents the interests of the European vegetable oil and protein meal industry. With over 180 facilities in Europe, the sector provides over 20.000 direct employments. Our members process approximately 55 million tonnes of basic products a year for the food and non-food markets. Oilseed crushing produces vegetable oils and protein meals as co-products. While vegetable oils are used for food and technical uses (pharmaceuticals, paints, detergents, biodiesel, etc.), protein meals are used to meet the increasing global demand for meat and protein.
For further information, please contact Nathalie Lecocq, FEDIOL Director General, at Tel:
+32 2 771 53 30