On the draft Council decision on the approval of amendments to the International Cocoa Agreement

The European Union is a party to the International Cocoa Agreement (ICA) 2010 and a Member of the International Cocoa Organization. The 2010 International Cocoa Agreement provisionally entered into force on 1 October 2012 for a period of ten years until 30 September 2022. The ICA aims to strengthen the global cocoa sector and promote its economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development.

The text of the ICA, as amended, has been approved by the International Cocoa Council at its 106th regular session held from 27 - 29 September 2022. The amendment was negotiated to modify the ICA 2010, which has been extended until 30 September 2026.

The present proposal concerns the approval on behalf of the European Union of the 2022 amendments to the 2010 ICA. The amendments were negotiated by the Commission on behalf of the Union, following the adoption of the negotiating directives by the Council on 20 April 2021. The aims of the amended Agreement fall under the common commercial policy.

The amendments include the following changes: 1. An indefinite duration of the Agreement (subject to review every five years), to bring more stability and sustainability to initiatives implemented under the Agreement; 2. Realignment of the provisions of the Agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure an accelerated development of the world cocoa economy; 3. Introduction of a key objective in the Agreement with respect to achieving a living income for cocoa farmers and a reference to remunerative prices to reach economic sustainability; 4. Three new articles outlining specific measures to be carried out under the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability; 5. Reinvigorating attention on value addition, premium quality, and food safety; 6. Supporting research and innovation in the cocoa value chain and expanding cooperation with more donor agencies for financing of cocoa development projects.

In accordance with Article 218(6) TFEU, the consent of the European Parliament is needed in order for the Council to adopt a decision concluding the Agreement and for the latter to come into force in due time.

In the light of the above, the Rapporteur recommends that the Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement, without prejudice to its democratic right of continuous scrutiny.

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.