In a bid to reduce its carbon footprint in the food sector, the European Union has decided to reduce the deforestation linked to certain agricultural products such as palm oil, cattle, soya, coffee, cocoa, wood and rubber, as well as their derivatives such as beef, furniture and chocolate.

The aim of this measure (EUDR: European Union Deforestation Regulation) is to ensure that products imported into the EU are not derived from practices that lead to deforestation (from 31 December 2020 for verification). Companies importing these products must apply due diligence in implementing these measures. However, in the countries producing these products, the question arises as to what changes need to be implemented to comply with this new EU measure. The aim of this session is to present the responses made in Central Africa to avoid exporting deforestation to the EU. More specifically, we wish to share experiences relating to (1) field measurements of deforestation linked to cocoa farming and the policy implications; (2) a participatory national initiative aimed at co-constructing a national response to the cocoa sector in Cameroon, (3) responses at sub-regional level taking into account several countries and sectors.

Register now