Exclusive: UK Cocoa Coalition aims to deliver sustainable sourcing goals

Barry Callebaut, Ferrero, Hershey and Tony’s Chocolonely are among a landmark UK Cocoa Coalition alongside leading civil organisations, coinciding with the 2026 International Day of Forests, seeking urgent delivery of key industry legislation, reports Neill Barston.

As our title has previously noted, the former British government under a Conservative-led administration put forward its Environment Act in 2021 – with its linked frameworks failing to fully materialise since then – with observers citing the 2024 general election as a core reason for its delay, as the incoming Labour administration pledged to review its aims.

Now, the combined group, consisting of key groups including retailers such as Marks & Spencers, and NGOs (Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade Foundation, the WWF, International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), and VOICE Network), which has called on the UK Forest Risk Commodities Regulation to help ensure responsibly-sourced cocoa supply chains linked to British businesses.

Significantly, the coalition has confirmed to Confectionery Production that it is the intention of the Coalition to align as closely as possible with the much-promised EUDR deforestation regulations, which has faced its own two-year delay in the EU Parliament in the wake of significant lobbying from centre right political groups, as well as some major industry players.

As the UK Cocoa Coalition noted, its shared goal is to  bring forward effective legislation and policy to support farmer livelihoods, address human rights violations, and tackle illegal deforestation.

Industry support
Significantly, the combined group noted that the 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.

Alex Sobel MP, APPG co-chair commented: “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.”

Meanwhile, Richard Laming, Head of Public Affairs at Ferrero’s UK division – which has followed its European headquarters in being among the forefront of companies seeking to press ahead with environmental protections for the EUDR measures, welcomed the coalition’s development.

He said: “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.”

Notably, Jason Archie-Acheampong, Sustainable Sourcing Lead at Fairtrade Foundation, who spoke on the issue of sustainability at last year’s World Confectionery Conference, welcomed the initiative.

He commented: “At the Fairtrade Foundation, we welcome regulatory moves to tackle deforestation and strengthen resilience in the cocoa sector, but it must work for farmers as well as forests.

“Smallholder farmers are central to cocoa supply chains, yet at risk of being disproportionately burdened by the costs of compliance. This is a moment to embed shared responsibility for compliance across the supply chain, with companies supporting producers through fair pricing, investment and meaningful engagement.

“We are proud to be part of the UK Cocoa Coalition and to work with partners to ensure this delivers positive outcomes for farmers, businesses and the environment”

In addition, the formation of the group was also welcomed by its other backers, including the John Lewis group, as well as other players within the confectionery space, including Tony’s Chocolonely, which has long campaigned for the EUDR legislation.

Belinda Borck, Public Affairs lead at Tony’s Chocolonely added: “At Tony’s Chocolonely and through Tony’s Open Chain, we believe that real change in cocoa starts with shared responsibility and clear, consistent sourcing principles and rules. Companies can’t solve illegal deforestation and ongoing human rights violations alone, but with strong, aligned legislation, we can shift the system together. We are proud to join this UK Cocoa Coalition and call for robust legislation that sets a level playing field and helps turn individual commitments into system change, protecting forests, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and building a cocoa industry that puts people and planet first.”

Meanwhile, Owen Gibbons, Senior Manager, Global Advocacy and UK Public Affairs, Rainforest Alliance, added that such regulations were essential for driving a deforestation-free cocoa sector.