We believe these are the options that may have the best chance to succeed – if the relevant politicians and other actors collectively take them forward. Where governments in chocolate consuming countries can play a roleĪ new Fairtrade-commissioned report, Promoting living incomes in the cocoa sector: Policy options for consuming countries, looks at the specific policy options in cocoa producing countries as well as – most importantly – cocoa consuming countries that can make the biggest impact in putting living incomes within reach for farmers. However, to truly make a difference in eliminating poverty in the West African cocoa sector, any due diligence regulation will need to include requirements on living incomes. Such regulation could be incredibly powerful in harnessing the power of all brands, retailers and consumers across the EU, in partnership with governments in the countries of production, and with farmers themselves, to reduce poverty and the human rights risks associated with it. HREDD would require companies to assess and act on any human rights violations found in their supply chains. Whether or not investment in human rights in the cocoa supply chain remains voluntary is at the center of discussion by the European Commission and Parliament, as they consider Human Rights Environment Due Diligence (HREDD) regulation. The problem is, they are voluntary, based on an individual company’s willingness to assume additional costs to, for instance, pay farmers a higher price for their cocoa, or invest additional funds in child labour monitoring and remediation. When it comes to the companies that make and sell chocolate, different solutions have been proposed, and even put in place.
The governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, where two-thirds of the world’s cocoa is produced, have clear laws but limited resources for monitoring and enforcement. Problems like child labour and environmental degradation are connected to poverty and the struggle to survive. Without this being fulfilled, many other rights are also in jeopardy.
However, even with a good harvest and strong sales, the majority of households won’t earn a living income, meaning they can’t afford decent housing, food, education for children, and other basic expenses.Ī decent standard of living is a human right. Jon Walker, Senior Advisor for Cocoa, Fairtrade InternationalĬocoa farmers in West Africa are now in the middle of the main harvest season.