EU

Exclusive: European EPP group places amendment seeking a two-year delay to ‘burdensome’ EUDR environmental laws

European centre-right political group, EPP has moved to further extend the timeframe for introducing the much-anticipated EUDR environmental legislation, tabling a parliamentary amendment seeking a two-year extension to its original date at the end of this year, reports Neill Barston.

Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Cocoa Coalition of Ferrero, Mars, Mondelez and Nestlé urges EU not to water down delay-hit EUDR environmental laws

A collective of major confectionery businesses known as the Cocoa Collective, including Ferrero, Mars, Mondelez International Nestlé, Tony’s Chocolonely, has urged the EU to resist any further amendments to EUDR legislation on tackling deforestation, which is already set to be delayed by a year, reports Neill Barston.

Exclusive: Rainforest Alliance raises alarm over plans to delay flagship EUDR environmental laws

The Rainforest Alliance has added key concerns over plans put forward by the EU Commission to delay the introduction of the flagship EUDR laws aimed at preventing deforestation in European supply chains for sectors including cocoa, palm oil and soy, writes Neill Barston.

Caobisco joins major cross-sector organisations calling for urgent release of EUDR guidelines

The key European confectionery trade body, Caobisco, has joined with the European Cocoa Association and several other influential groups in calling on the EU Commission for an immediate release of guidelines surrounding the implementation of the EUDR regulations, reports Neill Barston.

European Cocoa Association calls for EUDR deforestation law delay

The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has joined a growing chorus of calls for the EUDR regulations surrounding deforestation within supply chains to be pushed back in its implementation, reports Neill Barston.

Exclusive: Caobisco sets out major five-year confectionery sector manifesto

The Caobisco European confectionery organisation has laid out an ambitious manifesto for the next five years, placing sustainable sourcing and promotion of proactive and transparent trade at its core, reports Neill Barston.

Mondelēz International fined €337 million over EU cross-border trading case

A long-running investigation into Mondelēz International has seen the business fined €337.5 million for what the EU Commission has described as ‘hindering the cross-border trade of chocolate and biscuits’ between Member States, breaching the bloc’s competition rules, writes Neill Barston.

Blackpool Rock firms’ plight needs urgent UK government backing

Hearing the plight of British-based Blackpool Rock producers these past few days who are fearing the loss of their industry owing to a food of imitation Chinese imports is something that surely stands as a clear wake-up call for our sector.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

European due diligence vote hailed as an ‘important milestone’ for supply chains

After an intense session of debate, the EU has finally agreed its corporate sustainability due diligence directive in what has been described as ‘a watered-down’ form, compelling large companies to mitigate on human rights and environmental factors in their supply chains, writes Neill Barston.

Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Malaysian palm oil producers welcome expected delay in EUDR regulations

Palm oil producers in Malaysia have reportedly welcomed plans from the EU that would see a delay in implementing its much-publicised deforestation regulation policies that have met with fears in South East Asia and Latin America over elevated costs for farmers, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory

BDSI calls for urgent EU review on packaging design legislation

Germany’s BDSI confectionery trade group has expressed ‘extreme concern’ at EU legislative plans for packaging design that could negatively impact seasonal product lines such as heart-shaped chocolate boxes, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

FDF expresses concerns over costly ‘not for EU’ labelling in Northern Ireland

The chief executive of the UK’s Food and Drink Federation, Karen Betts, has expressed concerns over a potential £250 million costs in additional new labelling being required by the government for goods heading towards Northern Ireland, reports Neill Barston.

CIUS European sugar users group expresses shock at calls for block on Ukrainian supplies

The Committee of European Sugar Users (CIUS), has stated its shock on call for blocking imports of sugar from Ukraine, as the EU faces continued shortage of supplies for a number of sectors, including within confectionery, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Caobisco joins European organisations calling on EU to agree major Mercosur trade deal

Caobisco, the European chocolate, biscuits and confectionery sector organisation, has joined a total of 22 industry associations in calling on the EU and the South American Mercosur nations to conclude the long-running trade negotiations to unlock perceived major mutual economic benefits, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Barry Callebaut’s Forever Chocolate programme update acknowledges cocoa sector challenges

Barry Callebaut has highlighted a need to help enable farmers in its core cocoa supply chains to increase the yield and quality of their crops, as well as deliver improved human rights protections, as central pillars of the company’s annual Forever Chocolate programme, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Shemesh Automation asserts packaging sector’s environmental improvement goals remain vital

With major logistics and energy challenges facing the sector in 2023, addressing climate change through improving company environmental performance is set to continue play a central role within the packaging segment, according to a key firm in the sector, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

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