Ferrero maintains position on pushing for EUDR implementation
Francesco Tramontin offers a key preview for our World Confectionery Conference, with a tour of its Luxembourg HQ. Pics: Neill Barston.
The Ferrero Group has been among sector businesses gathering in the European Parliament, discussing the finely-balanced fate of whether EU Deforestation Regulation will in fact come into force in December 2025, writes Neill Barston.
As previously reported by our title, the key chocolate company has been among a considerable core of confectionery firms that have called for the landmark legislation to be adopted without further delay, posting a clear call to action for the EU to stick to its original plans.
Significantly, as Confectionery Production also observed, the EU Commission had signalled that a further delay upon an initial year’s setback was going to be a likely outcome – only for a subsequent u-turn in official policy stating that the original timeline was now back in play.
However, some concessions to major businesses and lobbyists had been made in stating that in effect, companies would be given a six month grace period as regards compliance with the major legislation under the commission’s revised proposals on the legislation.
Last week, a key roundtable on the timeline for action concerning EUDR discussed the implementation of the scheme.
Ferrero’s VP of Global Public Affairs, Francesco Tramontin, who recently appeared at our World Confectionery Conference, highlighted a fundamental truth: practical, lasting change only happens when industry and institutions work together.
As the company noted, traceability and supplier due diligence have long been cornerstones of Ferrero’s sourcing, and since the EUDR’s adoption in 2023, the business has intensified its efforts to ensure deforestation-free supply chains. We welcome the European Commission’s proposal of a “grace period” to enable all stakeholders to rigorously test the system within a real operational context, thus fostering a constructive “community of practice”.
The company confirmed that it has remained fully committed to collaborating with authorities and partners to achieve the shared goal of protecting our forests on a global level.
