To mark International Day of Forests 2026, a new UK Cocoa Coalition has launched today in Parliament. The Coalition brings together leading traders, manufacturers and retailers – (including Barry Callebaut, Ferrero, Tony’s Chocolonely, The Hershey Company, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose), alongside NGOs (Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade Foundation, the WWF, International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), and VOICE Network), to call for the swift implementation of the UK Forest Risk Commodities Regulation to help drive responsibly-sourced cocoa supply chains.
Deforestation and the NGO Coalition
The Coalition’s launch, supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Deforestation and the NGO Forest Coalition, marks a significant moment for the industry to demonstrate their collective commitment to securing a responsibly-sourced cocoa supply chain that can drive change to ensure protection for tropical forests. In line with this commitment, the Coalition’s shared goal is to bring forward effective legislation and policy to support farmer livelihoods, address human rights violations, and tackle illegal deforestation.
Following the passing of the Environment Act (2021), the Forest Risk Commodities regulations have yet to be enacted, and this has led to uncertainty for companies across multiple sectors. This lack of clarity is deterring investment in supply chain improvements and undercuts the efforts of businesses that have already invested in traceability and sustainability measures.
In response to this, the Coalition calls for legislation to provide the clarity that companies need to plan their operations and make essential investments to support the sustainability of their supply chains.
Alex Sobel MP, APPG co-chair said: “I welcome the fact that businesses are stepping up and calling for regulation to fight illegal deforestation. This new partnership between business and NGOs will add weight to the argument that this regulation, far from being a new burden on business, will actually bring clarity and support to businesses who have been waiting too long already.”
Duncan Brack, UK Cocoa Coalition Facilitator commented: “The UK Cocoa Coalition brings together companies, certification initiatives and NGOs to argue for ambitious action by the government to support the development of a fully sustainable cocoa and chocolate supply chain. It is one of the most broadly based groupings active within these debates. Our launch, taking place just after the International Day of Forests and in the run-up to Easter, should serve as a wake-up call to government to use the influence of the huge UK market for cocoa and chocolate to improve conditions for cocoa farmers and combat deforestation.”
Richard Laming, Head of Public Affairs at Ferrero UK commented: “At Ferrero, Quality starts with responsibility, and this is embedded in the way we do business. We focus on sourcing quality ingredients, while respecting people and the planet.
“Ferrero is committed to a deforestation free cocoa supply chain and we are an active advocate of the Forest Risk Commodities regulation. But we know that one single entity cannot address the challenges the cocoa industry is facing alone. We must combine efforts to drive positive impact for farmers and forests. We are proud to be part of the new multi-stakeholder UK Cocoa Coalition, and we remain committed to playing our part, together with the industry, to achieve our shared goal of building a more resilient and sustainable cocoa supply chain.”
