Washington, March 20, 2024 – The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA) shared the following statement regarding legislation aimed at addressing the issue of deforestation in agriculture supply chains:

“The Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act represents an opportunity for the United States to address deforestation within agricultural supply chains. Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA) members agree that a legislative approach in the United States can provide a credible framework with reasonable incentives and penalties to prevent illegal deforestation and ensure harmonization and enforcement between international jurisdictions. The FOREST Act leverages expertise from across the federal government to support the global transition of the supply base to more responsibly sourced forest-derived commodities, which will in turn aid our individual and collective efforts to create business pathways to meet science-based targets, achieve net zero emissions, and reduce our impact on the planet.

We are grateful to the bipartisan and bicameral leadership of Senators Schatz and Braun along with Representatives Blumenauer and Fitzpatrick on this approach, and we look forward to working with them to continue to make progress on this important issue.”

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About the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance

The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance seeks to accelerate the pace of change in the food industry through individual company leadership and collective support for public policies that raise the bar and inspire further action in this critical journey. As some of the world’s best-known food companies, founding members Danone North America, Mars, Incorporated, Nestlé USA, and Unilever United States recognize our responsibility to drive positive change for the people who use our products, the people who supply them, and the planet on which we all rely. To learn more about the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, visit www.foodpolicyalliance.org.