In April, Ivory Coast plans to launch a pilot program that tracks cocoa beans from farm to market, trying to tackle issues such as deforestation and child labor, the head of the nation’s cocoa regulator said Thursday.
Using the new system, manufacturers and consumers will know the exact origin and production conditions of cocoa beans, the primary ingredient in chocolate.
Additionally, the project will introduce a new payment system for farmers in order to ensure they are paid fairly.
As part of a larger push to prevent deforestation and human rights abuses, the European Union is imposing a ban on the import of some commodities and products.
The objectives of our traceability system are to ensure the origins and complete circuit of beans, avoid deforestation, and pay the guaranteed price to farmers,” said Yves Brahima Kone, head of the Cocoa and Coffee Council (CCC).
It is currently not possible
