WRITTEN QUESTION E-3234/02 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Implementation of fair trade clause in the chocolate directive.
Date: 2002-11-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cocoa, commodity agreement, common commercial policy, developing countries, fair trade

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/43

The Commission has discussed the current crisis with several corporate actors, who are also concerned
about the long term implications for their supply chain. This dialogue will continue in the coming months.
Clearly private sector action would be part of any long term strategy to balance supply and demand.

In relation to the broader issue of Corporate Social Responsibility, the overall aim of the Commission is to
foster Corporate Social Responsibility by promoting innovation, transparency and innovation of CSR
practices and instruments. The newly created European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on CSR will
indeed
address ‘Development aspects of CSR’ with the aim of establishing common guiding principles for
businesses and stakeholders to co-operate to address social or environmental challenges.

(1) COM(2002) 513 final.

(2004/C 11 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3234/02

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(15 November 2002)

Subject: Implementation of fair trade clause in the chocolate directive

As stated in the preamble of Directive 2000/36/EC (1), cocoa, cocoa butter and a series of other vegetable
fats used in the manufacture of chocolate are mainly produced in developing countries, therefore it is in
the interests of people living in developing countries that agreements of as long a duration as possible
should be concluded. The preamble also specifically calls on the Commission to consider the role which
‘fair trade’ could play in such agreements.

In light of this, what is the Commission intending to do to establish long-term commodity agreements and
promote ‘fair trade’ with such developing countries?

(1) OJ L 197, 3.8.2000, p. 19.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2002)

The Community is a member of all major commodity agreements. The Commission plays an active role in
negotiating, implementing and managing these agreements. The Community has been a member of the
agreements concerning cocoa since the first such agreement was negotiated in 1972. The new agreement
for cocoa, which was negotiated in 2001, is scheduled to enter into force in 2003 for a maximum period
of nine years. Provisions have been made to adjust the agreement throughout its lifespan to ensure it
remains relevant to changing market conditions.

The Commission is working to promote ‘Fair Trade’ with developing countries in two main ways, namely
by:

(cid:1) Raising public awareness of ‘Fair Trade’ among Union citizens, which, even if in growing numbers,
continue to buy only limited amounts of
this activity, a budget of
EUR 15 million from the budget line B7-6000 has been allocated for this purpose over the past five
years; and

‘Fair Trade’ goods. For

(cid:1) Organising frequent contacts with the main interested parties involved in ‘Fair Trade’.

Public confusion over the concept of ‘Fair Trade’, due to a number of different private labels, represent a
major obstacle to its further development. The European Multistakeholder forum, recently launched
following the Communication on Corporate Social Responsibility, will discuss way to facilitate the correct
labelling of such products.

The Commission is investigating ways to strengthen its participation in commodity agreements and further
develop ‘Fair Trade’ as part of its efforts to reduce poverty in developing countries.