Nestle calls on peers to join campaign to stop EU deforestation law being re-opened

‘Please do not reward companies that have not invested in time, even after two delays,’ says letter signed by Danone, Ferrero and Bel

Nestle, Danone and Ferrero are among the companies urging policymakers not to re-open the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

In a letter to the bloc’s commissioner for environment, water resilience and the circular economy, Jessika Roswall, the firms said they had been “actively preparing for and investing in compliance with the provisions of the EUDR”.

The law, which seeks to stop products being placed on the EU market if they have contributed to deforestation, has already been delayed twice in response to push back from industry.

It has also been revised to reduce the burden on certain entities – especially smaller companies.

After months of political wrangling, EUDR is now set to enter into force for Europe’s largest companies in December.

In the meantime, however, the Commission must review the rules again, to determine whether there is scope for further simplification.

“If the regulation is reopened yet again after the April review – for a third time before its application – all these investments will be put at risk,” wrote the companies, who also include chocolate firms Tony’s Chocoloney and Jeff de Bruges, food manufacturer St Hubert, and cheese maker Bel.

“No further amendment is needed,” they continued, adding that additional clarity should be provided through guidance.

“Please do not reward companies that have not invested in time, even after two delays. Please oppose any reopening of the EUDR to further negotiation.”

Bart Vandewaetere, Nestle’s European vice president of government relations and ESG engagement, took to social media to invite other companies to add their names to the joint letter.

New signatories are being welcomed until the end of the month.

On Monday, Nestle discussed the future of the EUDR during a dedicated roundtable with investors, Commissioner Roswall’s cabinet and the European Commission’s environmental department.

The Institutional investors from the Investor Policy Dialogue on Deforestation (IPDD), multinational companies leading early implementation efforts, and the European Commission’s DG Environment and Commissioner Roswall’s Cabinet explored how investors and companies can support the Commission’s implementation efforts while contributing to a predictable policy environment.

“The session explored how investors and companies can support the Commission’s implementation efforts while contributing to a predictable policy environment,” said the Investor Policy Dialogue on Deforestation, which coordinated the roundtable.

Participants shared “practical lessons” that have emerged from compliance efforts so far, particularly on supply-chain mapping and data alignment.

They also expressed a “willingness for investors, corporates and policymakers to work together to support effective implementation of the Regulation”.