A YORK confectionery giant has announced it is to stop buying palm oil from suppliers which are contributing to rainforest destruction.
Nestlé says it will mark out and exclude companies “owning or managing high-risk plantations or farms linked to deforestation” from its supply chain in a move which has been hailed by environmental campaigners.
Greenpeace launched its own drive two months ago warning that palm oil used by Nestlé for products such as KitKat was playing a part in the ruining of the home of the world’s remaining orangutan population.
The firm now says it will link up with The Forest Trust to review its supply chain for the substance and audit the companies it deals with for signs of illegal activity.
Ian Duff, a Greenpeace forest campaigner, said: “Pretty much everybody likes a bar of chocolate, but nobody wants their teatime treat to push orangutans towards extinction.
“Nestlé have done the right thing.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here