NESTLÉ IRELAND SAY they are on target to achieve 100% cocoa from sustainable sources by end of 2015.

If they attain this they will become the first major confectionery company in Ireland to do so.

To date, 60% of the cocoa purchased by Nestlé is from certified farms working with the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, said the company.

Farmers

Deirdre O’Donoghue, Country Manager for Nestlé Ireland said if they reach this goal it will make a real difference to farmers and their communities.

In 2009, Nestlé announced that over the next 10 years it would invest over €90 million into plant science and sustainability initiatives as part their Nestlé Cocoa Plan, which was developed to support small scale cocoa farmers around the world.

Farmers are awarded certification after they have been trained to grow better crops, generate more income and create opportunities whilst safeguarding the environment and natural resources.

Independent third parties monitor the farms and businesses involved ensuring sound agricultural practices, safe and healthy working conditions are in place. There must also be no child labour, said Nestlé.

In order to achieve their target, Nestlé state that they have been working with the FAIRTRADE Foundation, an independent certification body which licenses the use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products.

Today, more than 1.5 million people – farmers and workers – across 66 developing countries benefit from the international FAIRTRADE system.

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