Retailers call on UK government to align with EU regulations for deforestation-free supply chains

6 October 2023

Leading supermarkets and members of the Retail Soy Group, which is represented by 3Keel director, Will Schreiber, have called on the UK government to speed up the introduction of legislation that will ensure direct and indirect suppliers have “deforestation-free supply chains”.

In a letter sent to UK environment secretary Thérèse Coffey on 5 October, the retailers explained that they have just 15 months to meet new EU regulations that are aimed at curbing deforestation in all supply chains. If the UK doesn’t catch up and align its regulations with the EU, the ability to export UK-made produce to Europe is put at risk.

As they explained in the letter, the retailers say that “it has become clear that we cannot ensure the entire supply chain is compliant without swift implementation of the secondary legislation of the Environment Act to remove the remaining barriers to transparency and to level the playing field throughout the sector.”

By the end of 2024, companies operating in EU countries, as well as Northern Ireland, will not be able to import food and other materials that are linked to deforestation in supply chains, including soya, cocoa, coffee, palm oil and wood. The retailers’ letter calls on the government “to remove the remaining barriers to transparency and to level the playing field throughout the sector.”

Read the full letter on the Retail Soy Group website.

For media enquiries contact Carole Scott, 3Keel Head of Communications, on +44 7356 125115 or carole.scott@3keel.com