France pledges to stop 'deforestation imports' by 2030

[Judi Lynn]

by Carinya Sharples on 1 February 2019

. . .

Ask most people which products contribute toward the destruction of forests, and they’ll probably mention palm oil, beef, or soybeans. So news that France has adopted a National Strategy to Combat Imported Deforestation is promising, not least because it aims to end deforestation caused by importing “unsustainable forest and agricultural products” by 2030.

The European Union is a major importer of palm oil (17 percent of global imports), soy (15 percent), rubber (25 percent), beef (41 percent), maize (30 percent), cocoa (80 percent) and coffee (60 percent). According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), almost 80 percent of all deforestation is driven by agriculture. A study published in September similarly found the main drivers of forest loss to be permanent commodity-driven deforestation (27 percent), forestry (26 percent) and shifting agriculture (24 percent).

Accused of being complicit in not only deforestation but also related human right abuses, the EU and its members are keen to reduce the impact of their commercial activities. The aim of France’s new strategy, announced in November, is stated on the French government’s official website as, “To encourage every actor (producers, businesses, investors and consumers), to change their practices in order to reduce deforestation.”

A handful of planned measures are listed, too, including 60 million euros ($69 million) per year in “development aid” to help exporting countries and regions offer more sustainable produce, tackle deforestation and implement reforestation projects.

More:
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/02/france-pledges-to-stop-deforestation-imports-by-2030/

[Duppers]

1. Excellent!

This is a significant step.