Mongabay · Climate & nature

Mondelēz Accused of Lobbying to Weaken EU Deforestation Law

Food giant Mondelēz International, owner of Cadbury and Oreo, is reportedly lobbying to weaken and delay the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), according to Global Witness. The law requires companies to prove their products are not linked to deforestation after December 31, 2020.

The EUDR, initially set for 2024, is now delayed until December 31, 2026. Global Witness reports Mondelēz CEO met with a U.S. ambassador critical of the regulation shortly before a vote on proposed simplifications.

Mondelēz previously supported the EUDR but later called for a 12-month delay, breaking ranks with competitors like Mars and Nestle. This shift occurred after a senior Mondelēz representative joined the Chamber of Commerce to the EU's board.

The company also lobbied national governments in France, Germany, Ireland, and Luxembourg. Since 2023, Mondelēz has spent between 1.2-1.5 million euros on EU lobbying, though the specific topics are undisclosed.

Global Witness notes Mondelēz is the only major chocolate maker not disclosing its deforestation-free cocoa supply chain percentage and is exposed to cocoa-driven deforestation in West Africa via an untraceable system.

An Ivorian NGO executive stated Mondelēz is trying to "sabotage the regulation." A cocoa expert suggested the company is pushing back because it "haven’t done enough to get ready for the law."

Mondelēz stated it "fully support[s] the objectives of the EU Deforestation Regulation" and is committed to deforestation-free supply chains. The company confirmed lobbying to ensure the regulation "works effectively in practice."

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