MONROVIA, Nov 25 \u2014 Some of the world\u2019s best-known chocolate, from Mars to KitKat, is likely linked to deforestation in Liberia\u2019s rainforest despite many brands\u2019 claims of sustainability, according to research published by NGO Global Witness today.<\/p>\n
Liberia is home to the largest remaining stretch of the Upper Guinean rainforest and multiple endangered species such as chimpanzees and forest elephants, according to the group.<\/p>\n
Between 2021 and 2024 Liberia lost some 250,000 hectares (618,000 acres) of forest in the country\u2019s largest cocoa producing counties, known as the \u201ccocoa belt\u201d, it said.<\/p>\n
High prices of cocoa combined with crop failure in neighbouring cocoa-producing nations have spurred a surge in Liberia\u2019s cocoa exportation and an expansion of farms.<\/p>\n
Cocoa exporters rely heavily on rural traders in the region who buy indiscriminately, including deforestation-linked beans, the report said.<\/p>\n
Companies then mix \u201ctraceable, certified cocoa with untraceable beans\u201d under a certification program that allows them to call such chocolate sustainable, according to Global Witness.<\/p>\n
The study said its research \u201cimplicates corporate giants including Hershey, Mondelez (Cadbury), Nestle, Unilever and Mars\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig brands are buying untraceable bulk cocoa that hides a massive deforestation footprint\u201d, Global Witness investigator Charlie Hammans said.<\/p>\n
The report comes with the EU parliament posed to vote on pushing back the rollout of a law banning imports of products driving deforestation, to the end of 2026.<\/p>\n
The law would \u201crequire companies selling in Europe to prove that products like chocolate are fully traceable and therefore free from deforestation\u201d, Global Witness said.<\/p>\n
Global Witness said it analysed customs data showing all cocoa exports from Liberia by cargo ship in the last three years.<\/p>\n
It additionally used tree cover loss data for Bong, Nimba and Lofa Counties to arrive at the amount of forest land lost in the cocoa belt.<\/p>\n
In addition to cocoa, Global Witness said small-scale agriculture, mining, palm oil and rubber production are \u201calso likely to be significant contributors to forest loss\u201d. \u2014 AFP<\/p>\n
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