Answer given by Mr Mimica on behalf of the Commission
18.12.2017
The Commission is aware of and concerned by the problem of deforestation due to the expansion of agriculture surface for cocoa production, particularly in classified forests. The Commission is representing the EU in the International Cocoa Organisation which is the global platform where the link between deforestation, cocoa overproduction and decreasing cocoa world prices is discussed.
The Commission is supporting forest sector reforms in Ghana and Ivory Coast through the FLEGT VPA[1]. With the objective of reducing illegal logging, the FLEGT process helps reinforce governance at all levels from field to Ministries, including foreseeing adequate sanctions in case of non-compliance.
The Commission is also supporting Côte d'Ivoire to design its REDD+[2] strategy.
In 2017, the Commission started a EUR 45 million regional programme[3] in West Africa under the 11th EDF[4] to support nature conservation through improved management of protected areas and neighbouring zones. In Ivory Coast, the Commission signed in 2015 a sector reform programme to set up a national system to register and administer rural lands, including national parks and classified forests.
In line with the new European Consensus on Development[5] the Commission will continue to promote fair and ethical production, to ensure decent prices, improve producers' livelihoods and tackle deforestation.
As part of the 7th Environment Action Programme the Commission has also launched a feasibility study[6] on options to step up EU action to address the drivers of deforestation, including cocoa.
- [1] Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52003DC0251&from=EN
- [2] Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
- [3] Programme régional pour la Protection de l'environnement, de la biodiversité, la lutte contre le changement climatique et l'adaptation aux changements climatiques en Afrique de l'Ouest (Regional Programme for the conservation of biodiversity and the fight against climate change in West Africa)
- [4] European Development Fund
- [5] 2017/C 210/01
- [6] See draft report of feasibility study: http://illegallogging-deforestation-conference.eu/background-info/