WWF: Dutch imports lead to global deforestation, CO2 emissions and human rights violations | Inland

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the currently drafted law does not go far enough and the new regulations should apply to all nature reserves, not just forests. “The problem moves differently to other ecosystems,” said WWF food expert and co-author of the report Seline Meijer.

The WWF campaign Together4Forests – which has been set up in collaboration with other nature organizations – is already two years with the end result: a draft law ready for the European Parliament. According to the nature organization, the law is too restrictive, which is why WWF is now coming up with new research into the global effects of Dutch imports on all nature reserves.

The forests are cut down, among other things, for the Dutch import of raw materials, according to the new report. To meet our demand for raw materials, especially in tropical areas, a land area of ​​no less than four times the size of the Netherlands is needed every year. This concerns soy, palm oil, maize, meat and leather, cocoa, coffee, coconut and wood.

A large part of that import is in turn re-exported to other countries. “We cannot say that we are not responsible for the exported products. The Dutch economy earns money from processing and trading those goods,” says Meijer.

Our imports not only contribute to deforestation, according to the WWF report. The raw materials that the Netherlands imports also cause a lot of emissions in the countries of origin. The estimated emissions of greenhouse gases released during the production of six of the raw materials that the Netherlands imports is equivalent to a quarter of the total Dutch emissions in 2019. This is worrying, because almost half of all agricultural land needed to produce those raw materials. production is located in countries with a high to very high risk of deforestation.

Besides the fact that the production of these raw materials can cause deforestation and emissions, the risk of human rights violations in those countries is also greater. “These countries often have poor labor rights and governance records. We cannot be sure that the working conditions are good there.”

The suppliers of the products are not always transparent about the production of their goods. “They often don’t keep track of the origin areas of the raw materials. And if they do, they don’t want to make this public,” says the food expert.

But how can we change that? “We are now missing a piece of traceability in the chains and we want to address that. There should be external controls so that suppliers can exclude that their products contribute to nature destruction and human rights violations.”

External checks of course cost money, but according to Seline Meijer this should not have any consequences for the Dutch consumer. “The idea is that money is made available from the Member States of the European Union for the checks. According to several European studies, the new legislation will have little impact on the price of goods. In addition, the extra costs that companies have to incur will be minimal.”

But if the chains are so untraceable, how do we know that Dutch imports contribute to deforestation? “Our report has mapped out how much of a certain raw material the Netherlands imports and from which country we get it,” explains the co-author of the report. those countries.”

Despite the fact that this report only concerns the Netherlands, WWF is interfering with European regulations for fear that imports will otherwise move from the port of Rotterdam to other European ports. “Relocation of the problem is, in a sense, already the issue, with the current bill in which only forests are protected against deforestation,” says Meijer.

“We are afraid that soy production, for example, will only move to other nature reserves that are not protected by law. For example, the savannas in Brazil are already suffering from soy cultivation. The regulations must apply to the entire European market and offer protection to all natural areas.”

If the law is watered down by the European Parliament, WWF will not be discouraged. “We will then personally approach companies to commit themselves to the proposed rules. Several large supermarket chains have already preceded them.”

However, WWF does not only call on companies to consult themselves. “It is good for consumers to become aware of the role of the Netherlands in nature destruction and human rights violations, and especially what they can do themselves,” says the food expert.

According to her, opting for a plant-based diet is a good solution. “But if you don’t, look at what products you eat and which brands you want to support. Products from sustainable agriculture, or local and seasonal products can greatly reduce the chance that you will consume a product that comes from deforestation. Also vote for parties that support this type of campaign and sign a petition every now and then.”

Meijer thinks it is important to emphasize that they do not want to place the responsibility with one party. ,,Every bit helps. We can already make an impact ourselves, but we need all sectors to bring about improvement. The more we work together, the greater the impact.”

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