No one can live with Swiss Chocolate!

If we needed an emblem of the dark side of our consumer society, it would be this: the rabbit, a symbol of fertility from a so-called ‘pagan’ tradition (that is, neither Christian nor Jewish), which is now being used to festivities. It’s more than appropriate in this context. Chocolate-producing companies, some of which are veritable behemoths (Nestlé, for example, deemed ‘indifferent’ in the study), don’t concern themselves with values ​​like loving one’s neighbor or fighting poverty. No, they’re more concerned with the profitability of their business and the renewal of their record results, just as rabbits celebrate the return of spring. The final nail in the coffin: the news about commodity trading companies, including cocoa dealers, setting up shop within our borders, sheltered from the controls practiced in the rest of supposedly enlightened Europe. In this particular case, Switzerland certainly comes across as obscurantist, whether it likes it or not. How long will we keep this golden egg hidden in our country (Source: Deluz 2013, p.11)?

Switzerland is world-famous for its chocolate, but the working conditions of the cocoa farming families are preferred by the Swiss chocolatiers [to be] under the carpet (Source: Wagner nd, np link).

NGOs like to use emotionally charged appointments such as Christmas or Easter to attract attention with campaigns. In Switzerland, for example, the Bern Declaration ([Erklärung von Bern, or] EvB) initiated a chocolate campaign in time for Easter (Source: Anon 2013a, np link).

Easter in Switzerland is a busy time for the chocolate industry. Billions of delicious chocolate bunnies are produced by the grand masters of chocolate. Unfortunately, still many Swiss chocolate companies and retailers are producing their chocolate under exploitative conditions (Source: Kompost 2013, np link).

[EvB’s] chocolate campaign was launched on March 1, 2013, at the NATUR trade fair in Basel (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

The cocoa in the Swiss Schoggi is still produced unfairly for the most part. This is the conclusion of a new study by the Bern Declaration (EvB) on Swiss chocolate producers [below]. The non-governmental organization speaks of human rights-related conditions under which cocoa farmers have to work. Their yield is so low that most of them live in absolute poverty. Based on the results from its survey of 19 Swiss chocolate manufacturers, the EvB has created a ranking. It shows which companies are committed to fair production – and which are more lax with the topic (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

Corporate commitment to human rights in cocoa farming. A comparison of Swiss cocoa processors and chocolate manufacturers

The … results suggest that smaller Swiss cocoa processors and chocolate manufacturers tend to perform better than large corporations. In addition, the deeper the idea of fair and sustainable cocoa production is anchored at a company, the more coherent the strategy for preventing and combating human and labour law violations seems (Source: EvB 2013f, np link).

At the top of the ranking is the cocoa retailer Pronatec from Winterthur. Chocolats Halba is listed as the second responsible company. The company mainly produces for the Swiss retail trade and is part of the Coop Group (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

Large companies operating worldwide such as Nestlé, Lindt & Sprüngli, Barry Callebaut or Kraft Foods, on the other hand, are performing worse. The EvB lists them in the category of ‘negligent’ companies. In this section you will also find the Migros subsidiary Chocolat Frey. At the bottom of the ranking are Camille Bloch – from this company, for example, the brands Ragusa or Torino – and the Confiseur Läderach AG (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

Virtually all companies still fail in terms of full traceability … (Source: EvB 2013f, np link).

… of cocoa raw materials. ‘If you do not know the origin of the original substances of your products, you cannot take action against human and labour law violations during their cultivation and further processing,’ argues Andrea Hüsser, who wrote the study at the EvB (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

The extensive programs developed in recent years, primarily by large corporations, are noteworthy. Despite large investment volumes, these initiatives and programs unfortunately cover only a small portion of the enormous quantities of cocoa required by companies such as Nestlé, Barry Callebaut, Lindt, and Mondelez (formerly Kraft Foods), which have annual sales of over CHF 2 billion. Compared to the surveys conducted [by EvB] in 2009 and 2010, it is clear that the large-scale projects promoted at that time are still in their infancy (Source: EvB 2013f, np link).

[This] disregard for cocoa farmers is coming back to haunt us, because poverty is leading to enormous production problems – there are fears of a significant cocoa supply shortage. Urgently needed investments in plantations and further training cannot be made, resulting in plants that are overaged or diseased. Due to the low incomes in cocoa farming, young people are also migrating or turning to other agricultural commodities. And since farming families cannot afford to pay workers, children are repeatedly employed (Source: EvB 2013d, p.3 link).

Although small successes are visible … [in] initiatives aimed at reducing abusive child labor [in chocolate supply chains] … abusive child labor is rooted in the impoverishment of smallholder families – which is why selective initiatives that focus solely on the abolition of child labor are unlikely to be successful in the long term (Source: EvB 2013f, np link).

Another sticking point is the price policy for cocoa, for which the chocolate companies still campaigned too little. ‘The power gap between the small farmers and the large corporations makes fair price negotiations practically impossible,’ says Hüsser (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

5.5 million cocoa farming families and their 14 million workers work on the cocoa plantations. And receive only 7% of the price of a bar of chocolate (Source: EvB 2013d, p.14 link).

With the help of its suicidal campaign mascot, the EvB … raised consumer awareness of the problems in the cocoa sector … from March 1st until Easter. In the handy chocolate guide [below], chocolate lovers can find out which Swiss companies are truly committed to social sustainability. Detailed information about the companies can be found online in the comprehensive study [above] (Source: Anon 2013d, p.3 link).

[EvB] commissioned PopUpAgency, represented by Benz / Hofer / Textor, to bring these abuses to the attention of the Swiss public. … The campaign is accompanied … the distribution of the EvB …(Source: Anon 2013b, np link).

… handy chocolate guide, [in which] chocolate lovers can find out which Swiss companies are truly committed to social sustainability (Source: Anon 2013d, p.3 link).

THE TRUTH ABOUT SWISS CHOCOLATE: Chocolate companies compared (Source: EvB 2013d, np link).

[EvB also] commissioned animators / filmmakers Kompost to … (Source: Cook et al 2013, np link).

… [create the campaign’s] visual hook [-] two short animated videos in which a chocolate Easter bunny discovers the truth about how chocolate is made. He learns that cocoa farming families cannot make a living from their work on the plantations, and with this knowledge, he no longer wants to live either (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

‘The Truth About Swiss Chocolate’ is a gory sequence in which the ultimate weapon[s are] … (Source: Zbinden 2013, np).

… a hair dryer and a hotplate … His attempts however fail, and he is left with the bitter reality (Source: Kompost 2013, np link).

Together with the EvB, he calls for fair and sustainable cocoa production (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

[Title:] Happy Easter! Suicidal Easter Bunny needs help! (Sources: Public Eye – Focus on Global Justice 2013a, np link & Public Eye – Focus on Global Justice 2013b, np link).

The two spots [were] seen on TV and online until Easter (Source: Anon 2013b, np link).

[And o]ver 70,000 people … viewed and shared [these] videos (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

[EvB also commissioned PopUpAgency for] creative and fun … (Source: Ilona 2013, np link).

… Facebook activities (Source: Anon 2013b, np link).

Visiting www.stop-bad-chocolate.ch leads to a Facebook page where you can enter your name and confirm: I’m for fair chocolate! You then receive a virtual chocolate bar with your name on it. The goal is to create the world’s largest virtual chocolate bar – totally fair and for fair trade (Source: Ilona 2013, np link).

No one can live with Swiss chocolate. Show companies that chocolate can be produced without exploitation. Become one of the largest fair trade chocolate bars in the world. This will then be presented to the most shameful chocolate company – with your name on it (Source: Anon 2013c, np link).

By Easter, over 10,000 people had contributed their names to Switzerland’s largest fair trade chocolate bar …(Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

… [where] each signatory is a piece of chocolate (Source: Schlenker nd, np link).

This was turned into ‘real’ chocolate and presented, along with … (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

… [EvB’s] central demands … (Source: EvB 2013e, np link).

… to one of the negligent companies: Lindt & Sprüngli. Lindt & Sprüngli is synonymous with Swiss chocolate like no other company at home or abroad (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

EvB presented L&S [Lindt & Sprüngli] CEO Ernst Tanner with the giant, entirely fair chocolate bar before the general meeting at the Kongresshaus Zurich. This is because ‘his’ company (Tanner is CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors) represents Swiss chocolate at Easter – keyword ‘Gold Bunny’ – like no other industry representative (Source: EvB 2013j, np link).

However, if L&S really wants to be the industry leader, the company must also meet this standard in the area of human rights. This requires 100% traceability, 100% fair prices, and 100% compliance with human rights along the cocoa supply chain. The giant chocolate bar made from Fair Trade pioneer Claro’s dark chocolate proves that all these criteria are entirely achievable. All the ingredients in the 50-kilogram, 2×1-meter bar are traceable back to the cocoa plantations, and the greatest possible share of its added value was generated by the local farming families. Ernst Tanner accepted the record-breaking fair trade chocolate bar today before the AGM at the Zurich Congress Center, referring to the L&S investments in sustainable procurement announced a few weeks ago (Source: EvB 2013j, np link).

In doing so, he officially acknowledged consumers’ desire for fairly produced chocolate and admitted that there is still much to be done (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

We are eagerly awaiting their implementation and will continue to follow the measures and their impact with critical interest (Source: EvB 2013j, np link).

As a customer country, Switzerland is challenged [by EvB’s campaign] on three levels. For chocolate companies, a transparent supply chain, measures to comply with labour and human rights and their control are essential. The Swiss state is to oblige companies to report regularly in this regard. Finally, consumers can set an example by preferring chocolate from manufacturers who demonstrate a serious commitment to fair production conditions (Source: EvB 2013d, p.4 link).

[It was EvB’s] third campaign on this topic, and since 2009, unfortunately, only minimal progress has been made (Source: Zbinden 2013, np).

[In 2009, t]he … Berne Declaration [EvB] … launched a campaign to encourage the country’s chocolate producers to do more to ensure the cocoa they buy comes from ethical sources. On the cusp of the Easter season the group … released images of chocolate bunny rabbits crying blood, with the slogan, ‘child labour is put into Swiss chocolate’ (Source: Neville 2009, np link).

While no exact figures exist on how many children suffer under forced working conditions in the worldwide cocoa trade, labour groups and human rights activists estimate as many as 250 million children could be affected. The matter first caught the public’s attention about nine years ago as media reports surfaced of forced child labour in West Africa. Officials from the United States-based International Labor Rights Forum investigated the issue. ‘These child workers labour for long, punishing hours, using dangerous tools and facing frequent exposure to dangerous pesticides as they travel great distances in the gruelling heat,’ a report states. ‘Those who labour as slaves must also suffer frequent beating and other cruel treatment.’ The motives for using forced child labour are largely economic. While cocoa prices have climbed from about $718 (SFr855) a ton in 2000 to as high as $2,600 a ton in recent years, cocoa producers in Ivory Coast are among the most heavily taxed group of growers worldwide. Berne Declaration says farmers there keep just 35 cents of every dollar’s worth of beans sold. Producers in other regions can keep as much as 90 cents per dollar. ‘The main problem is that prices aren’t high enough for farmers to survive,’ Hüsser said. ‘They have to employ children or forced labour because they can’t pay anyone to work for them’ (Source: Neville 2009, np link).

Easter time is Schoggizeit. The business with the rabbits and eggs is flourishing. This benefits Swiss chocolate producers, but not those quarter of a million children who work in West Africa for free to obtain the most important ingredient. Since the beginning of February, 6000 consumers have protested against these conditions in writing. Together with the EvB, they require an explanation from the manufacturers of their respective favorite Schoggi. 6,000 people in Switzerland have signed the EvB petition ‘Never again Swiss Schoggi from child labour’ in recent weeks, setting a strong sign. They no longer want to consume sweet symbol carriers of their country, which are made under exploitative working conditions. Therefore, together with the Bern Declaration, the signatories demand transparent information on the conditions of production in the cocoa countries and on their concrete commitment to their improvement. Fair working conditions in the south depend on whether chocolate producers in the north perceive their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Open communication, fair pricing policy and an applied code of conduct, including monitoring and controlling, are important tools for this. The EvB surveyed 18 Swiss companies about these instruments and received only one meaningful response (Source: EvB 2009a, np link).

Six out of 18 companies contacted did not respond, including Nestlé and Barry Callebaut, the world’s two largest chocolate producers (Source: EvB 2009b, np link).

[Chocosuisse, t]he Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers, a cooperative of 18 industrial chocolate companies, says it is working to ensure Switzerland’s world-famous chocolate is produced under fair and ethical practices. ‘We are aware of our social responsibilities as employers and are committed to a social partnership,’ the association says. But the Berne Declaration says the raw material supply chain is not transparent enough for consumers to know for certain that the chocolate they buy is not tainted by child labour. In a cocoa market cluttered by politics, war and cut-throat competition, it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint the conditions under which the beans were produced. ‘We don’t want people to stop eating chocolate, but we need to make people aware that there is a problem in the industry and that producers need to be more transparent,’ Andrea Hüsser … [from] the Berne Declaration, told [us]. ‘They make good chocolate but we want it to be fair’ (Source: Neville 2009, np link).

[To show what’s possible] the EvB has offered consumers an alternative and had 2,200 hand-scooped, organically certified and fairly produced Easter bunnies manufactured. The demand for clean chocolate is immense: after just six weeks, the last rabbit is sold. In addition, the EvB, together with Max Havelaar, will be designing the exhibition area on the subject of Fairtrade-Schoggi at the exhibition ‘100% Schokolade’ in the historic Museum Lucerne. Vernissage is on 2. April. And the campaign continues: In six Swiss cities, signature collection campaigns for the Schoggi campaign will take place in early April (Source: EvB 2009a, np link).

[On] May 28, 2009 – A remarkable 17,826 people [had] signed the EvB petition ‘No More Swiss Chocolate Made with Child Labor’ and helped ensure that some Swiss chocolate companies are making social responsibility a top priority. … The two largest Swiss chocolate companies, Nestlé and Barry Callebaut, have not taken a stand on the intolerable conditions on West African cocoa plantations – not even toward their concerned customers. … [But, t]welve other companies have acknowledged the worried inquiries of their customers with more or less well-founded response letters. … In their reactions, the[y] … point to their commitment to international initiatives. However, these are usually purely financial participations, which are handled via Chocosuisse and are still in the pilot phase after several years. This is not how the child labour problem can be solved. In West Africa, around two million smallholder farmers in the multinational chocolate industry still contribute to sales of almost two billion dollars annually. The farmers themselves remain, of course, low-bed, because there are no price guarantees. People live in direct dependence on the world market price, which the chocolate industry determines significantly. The only factor that the planters can influence in their plight is the cost of manpower. That’s why they send children to the plantations. The fact that a consistent change to Fairtrade chocolate is possible, the British group Cadbury demonstrated a few weeks ago. If the majority of the Swiss chocolate industry remains idle, it will soon be known for producing good but inedible chocolate (Source: EvB 2009b, np link).

EvB continues to keep an eye on the development in the chocolate industry. In a year, it will be asked (Source: EvB 2009b, np link).

EvB conducted a similar survey on the commitment of Swiss cocoa processors and chocolate manufacturers … in 2010 (Source: EvB 2013f, np link).

[Around the same time, t]he 10 Campaign coalition also emerged to redress the failings of the cocoa industry which had not fulfilled its ‘promises to eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour in West Africa’s cocoa sector’ … The 10 Campaign is a collective of international organizations including: STOP THE TRAFFIK (United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and Canada); The International Labor Rights Forum (United States of America); Südwind Research Institute (Germany); World Vision (Australia); The Berne Declaration ([EvB] Switzerland); Stop Child Labour – School is the best place to work (the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and Denmark); Confédération Syndicale Burkinabé (Burkina Faso); Fairfood International; FNV Bondgenoten (Netherlands) and various individuals with extensive experience in sustainable cocoa … The 10 Campaign introduced a new frame, corporate social accountability, in response to fears of fair-washing occurring in the industry’s CSR … ‘corporate social responsibility‘ (Source: DeLuca-Acconi 2015, p.104 & 204 link).

EvB’s 2012 survey was more detailed, incorporated the UN reference framework for business and human rights, … was newly targeted at 19 rather than 18 firms … (Source: EvB 2013f, np link).

… [and was sent to them in] mid-October (Source: Marti 2012, np link).

The survey focusses on four topics:

1. Traceability within the supply chain and risk analysis;

2. Measures to improve the situation on the cocoa plantations;

3. Control and standards;

4. Transparency and communication.

The questions in the four subject areas were weighted differently. An additional criterion for the valuation is the turnover size of a company … The investigation is based on the companies’ own information as well as on additional Internet research by the EvB. The focus was on human and labour rights. Ecological aspects were not included (Source: EvB 2013d, p.5 link).

With the data collected, the EvB wants to create comparable company portraits, which will be published at the end of February 2013, in order to serve as a guide for the purchase of Easter bunnies. According to the EvB, more than half of those contacted ‘failed to respond’. Only Lindt, Frey, Stella, Halba, Bernrain, and Maestrani responded to the EvB questionnaire by the deadline. Nestlé, Camille Bloch, Pronatec, and Kraft Foods (now Mondelez) sent ‘at least a letter of postponement.’ All other companies ‘either did not respond at all or explicitly refused to provide any information (e.g., Läderach),’ as the EvB writes (Source: Marti 2012, np link).

The results of the survey are clearly presented in a detailed study or in our handy Chocolate Guide [see above] (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

The presentation is a snapshot … It does not claim to be complete. The evaluation may not be quoted in the form ‘Recommended by the EvB’ or used for advertising purposes (Source: EvB 2013d, p.5 link).

[The report concluded that] Swiss chocolate companies and retailers continue to produce under raw conditions and once again bring the cocoa farming families unhappy Easter. … The discrepancy between social intentions and their implementation has not changed since the last ranking in 2010, nor has the industry transparency. … [Companies’] willingness to respond has increased slightly. [But, o]ver a third …, including Camille Bloch, Chocolat Alprose and Gysi Chocolatier, were not prepared to fill out the EvB questionnaire this time either (Source: EvB 2013b, np link).

[Refused to take part]: Camille Bloch, Chocolat Alprose, Chocolate & Cacaos Favarger, Confiseur Läderach, Gysi Chocolatier Suisse, Max Felchlin, Pfister Chocolatier (Source: EvB 2013d, p.16 link).

[EvB’s] ranking of the most responsible chocolate companies is led by the cocoa retailer Pronatec, followed by Chocolats Halba, where it is mainly produced for Coop. Among the highlights are the giants Mondelez (formerly Kraft Foods), Barry Callebaut, Nestlé and Lindt. … Their main problem is usually the lack of traceability of the cocoa raw materials. Because those who do not know the origin of the original substances of their products cannot take action against human and labour law violations during their cultivation and further processing. In the absence of progress in fair price policy, there are still hardly any improvements in the reduction of improper child labour, after all, it is rooted in the impoverishment of the smallholder farming families (Source: EvB 2013b, np link).

Advanced [chocolate brands]: Pronatec, Chocolate Halba (Source: EvB 2013d, p.16 link).

Among the highlights are the giants Mondelez (formerly Kraft Foods), Barry Callebaut, Nestlé and Lindt (Source: EvB 2013b, np link).

So-so [brands]: Chocolate Frey, Nestlé, Lindt & Sprüngli, Villars Maître Chocolatier, Confiserie Sprüngl, Kraft Foods (Source: EvB 2013d, p.16 link).

Their main problem is usually the lack of traceability of the cocoa raw materials. Because those who do not know the origin of the original substances of their products cannot take action against human and labour law violations during their cultivation and further processing. In the absence of progress in fair price policy, there are still hardly any improvements in the reduction of improper child labour, after all, it is rooted in the impoverishment of the smallholder farming families (Source: EvB 2013b, np link).

The social lip services of the manufacturing and trading giants must finally become tangible improvements for the more than 20 million people living from cocoa cultivation. In addition to transparent, controlled supply chains and comprehensive investments in measures against child labour, this also requires price guarantees that enable cocoa farmers to live a decent life. And for that, it takes pressure on the Swiss chocolate companies (Source: EvB 2013b, np link)!

Transparency regarding the origin and production conditions of products is the fundamental prerequisite for us as consumers to have a genuine choice (Source: Rudolf 2013, p.3 link).

Consumption tips

– Pay attention to product labels. Product labels stand for compliance with certain ecological and social standards and their independent certification by third parties. However, the certificates of Max Havelaar, UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Bio contain differently rigourous guidelines. The EvB considers the pricing policy of the Max Havelaar standard to be the most progressive.

– Ask the manufacturer of your favourite chocolate for origin and production conditions.

– Enjoy chocolate in the awareness that there is a lot of work in it.

– Continue to eat fairly produced chocolate so that cocoa growers in the south can benefit from demand (Source: EvB 2013d, p.15 link).

Furthermore, disclosure increases the pressure on companies to commit to greater social sustainability. For this reason, the Chocolate Guide formed the starting point of the EvB chocolate campaign before Easter. It provides a sound information base and clarifies which companies credibly put their sustainability promises into practice. Detailed company profiles are also available on [EvB’s] website, allowing you to follow the individual companies’ commitments in detail. However, without disseminating knowledge, raising awareness, and taking action, there is no impact. Therefore, we also used several channels in the [No one can live with Swiss] chocolate campaign to publicize the facts about the companies. Short TV and online spots featuring our suicidal campaign mascot, the bunny, brought the issue closer to people (Source: Rudolf 2013, p.3 link).

… [saying] it’s high time for consumers to cheer up the sad Easter bunnies (Source: EvB 2013b, np link)!

Special thanks to the nearly forty chocolate bunnies who gave up their lives in the making of these movies (Source: Kompost 2013, np link).

Over 70,000 people have viewed and shared our videos (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

We would [also] like to thank the Fédération genevoise de coopération (FGC), the Fédération vaudoise de coopération (Fedevaco), the Berti Wicke Foundation, the Catholic Church of Lucerne and another foundation for the financial support of the campaign (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

At the same time, the EvB school visit team encouraged children and young people to question the origin of their favorite chocolate. Street actions organized by regional groups also provided an opportunity to learn about the abuses on cocoa plantations. In addition, concerned consumers contacted the companies directly and virtually contributed to the construction of the largest fair trade chocolate bar on our campaign website. It will be presented to a leading Swiss chocolate company in mid-April – as a symbolic call to action to ensure greater social sustainability (Source: Rudolf 2013, p.3 link).

[In addition, n]early 500 people took part in the traditional Easter March in Bern on April 1, 2013. Visitors were informed about the activities of the EvB. The booths marked the end of the Easter March from Eichholz to the Münster. On March 26, 2013, the public film screening of ‘The Dark Side of Chocolate’ took place at the WWF Education Center, Bollwerk 35 (1st floor) in Bern. Two “bittersweet” street actions took place on March 14 and March 21, 2013, in Bern: www.stop-bad-chocolate.ch/ (Source: EvB 2013k, np link).

In this way, through many small actions, we can collectively make a difference and loudly protest against human rights violations in the cocoa industry (Source: Rudolf 2013, p.3 link).

No one can live on Swiss chocolate (Source: Schweiz 2013, np link).

I can deal with it very well! The world today forces me not to let any manufacturing process weigh my conscience (Source: Frischknecht 2013, np link).

Ui, I was not aware that the conditions are so bad in the chocolate production :-(( ( ( ( ( ( ( THat’s crazy (Source: @tabeazuberbuhler4836 2013a, np link).

Oh, poor rabbit… I think we should all do more about fair trade (Source: @Tabbygazelle 2013, np link).

I thought our Swiss chocolate was produced fairly (Source: @TheCoolboy257 2013, np link)?

I only buy Fair Trade chocolate – after all, I don’t want to drive such a cute bunny into the abyss. (Source: @andreasstutzer1139 2013, np link).

Fairtrade-schoggi is unfortunately not always the best (Source: @a_hase 2013, np link).

[It] often tastes a bit too healthy and reasonable (Source: @regulaziegler260 2013, np link).

[But] how much taste do you have if you knowingly support unfairly produced chocolate companies and say it’s none of your business (Source: @estrelladelmar1101 2013b, np link)?

[W]e don’t want even more schoghihasen to reach for the hairdryer (Source: @a_hase 2013, np link).

The … campaign [videos] … are quite funny, but not particularly informative (Source: Ilona 2013, np link).

I would have liked a little more information. Exploiting Schoggi is sad and unnecessary. I am looking forward to the brochure with the fair providers (Source: @regulaziegler260 2013, np link).

[EvB’s] chocolate guide ‘The Truth About Swiss Chocolate’… and the accusation contained therein that ‘Swiss chocolate companies and retailers continue to produce largely unfairly’ led to fierce disputes (Source: Block 2013, p.20 link).

The [EvB’s] criticism … is incomprehensible among the chocolate companies (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

CHOCOSUISSE counters these accusations with its intensive efforts to act in a socially and ethically responsible manner throughout the entire value chain and with the ‘Swiss Chocolate Industry Code of Conduct for Cocoa Procurement,’ and expects dialogue rather than confrontation (Source: Block 2013, p.20 link).

Camille Bloch … strongly defends itself. ‘We answered the [EvB’s] questions in writing and by phone. We explained that as an unlisted family-owned SME, we cannot provide them with all the figures they requested in detail and fill out their form, which is why we are described as opaque,’ says Regula Gerber, communications manager. She goes on to certify that the cocoa used for Ragusa and Torino is ‘100% traceable.’ ‘Thanks to our partnership with Source Trust, we track our cocoa back to the growing regions and work exclusively with cooperatives affiliated with this organization (Source: Gaudard 2013, p.35 link).

When asked … Lindt & Sprüngli [also] … pointed to their collaboration with Source Trust The project aims to improve the situation of the farming families through increases in yields and sustainable cultivation (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

‘If the Lindt partner Source Trust organizes trainings for the farmers to achieve higher yields, this does not mean that their living conditions will also improve,’ explains [EvB’s] campaign manager [Hüsser] (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

[But] the EvB considers Source Trust, an industry-founded organization, to be insufficiently transparent. Companies like Lindt & Sprüngli and Camille Bloch, which collaborate with Source Trust, therefore feel they are not given enough of a voice, according to their own assessment (Source: cp 2013, np).

‘With a premium product like Lindt chocolate, customers expect the manufacturer to consider social responsibility when sourcing all raw materials,’ confirms [company] CEO Ernst Tanner, citing one of the reasons for Lindt’s recent initiatives. Equally important, however, were two developments that challenged the entire industry: the declining quality of cocoa beans and the increasingly urgent question of the long-term availability of cocoa in sufficient quantities. The quality problems are partly a consequence of the liberalization that the World Bank imposed on West African cocoa-producing countries in the 1990s. To avoid losing World Bank funds, they had to relinquish their state monopoly over the cocoa industry, and especially cocoa exports. As with all market liberalizations, this initially created uncertainty for several years until a new order could be established. … In this environment, Lindt relies on the concept of traceability. ‘Knowing the origin of the cocoa beans all the way back to the farmers is a fundamental prerequisite for Lindt to assume ethical and social responsibility across the entire supply chain,’ says Tanner. ‘Traceability also ensures the control and continuous improvement of the quality and availability of the raw material.’ … Controlled traceability allows Lindt … to influence the social and economic situation of the producers. For every ton of cocoa sourced from Ghana, Lindt pays a premium of $60 – approximately 2 percent of the current futures market price. Half of this goes to the government to finance the system, and the other half to a Ghanaian welfare foundation. The projects financed with these funds are coordinated by the non-profit organization Sourcetrust, which aims to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers. Lindt played a major role in its founding in 2009; the leading partner is Armajaro, one of the world’s largest commodity traders (Source: Romeo 2011, p.43).

Lindt & Sprüngli also points to its own purchasing and sustainability programs, some of which the EvB … assesses positively. ‘Lindt has developed potential approaches in various areas, such as health issues and the fight against child labor, that could contribute to improving the current situation,’ the report states. ‘However, as with many other companies, these are all still in their infancy.’ Lindt & Sprüngli finds it incomprehensible that its efforts are not being given due consideration. The company maintains that it controls every single step of its chocolate production process and maintains direct contact with the farmers (Source: cp 2013, np).

Nestlé points to its ‘Cocoa Plan’ to help address the difficulties in the cocoa growing areas. Nestlé is also working with the Fair Labor Association to screen the cocoa supply chain. Chocolat Frey sources 70 percent cocoa, which has been certified by the sustainability label UTZ. Confiseur Läderach AG refers to its membership of the World Cocoa Foundation, which is committed to a sustainable cocoa economy (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

Regula Gerber … and Daniel Bloch [also] give specific examples of how ‘Chocolats Camille Bloch SA’ strives for fair cooperation with cocoa producers and nut suppliers from Turkey, from transparency in cocoa cultivation to qualification and support projects for local families to trips to the growing regions to gain a first-hand impression and make decisions based on this (Source: Block 2013, p.20 link).

In addition, [Camille Bloch] pay premiums on each ton of cocoa for farmer training, local infrastructure, and numerous projects.’ She adds that the managers of the Bern-based company, which is ‘committed to the long term,’ ‘cultivate their contacts with our representatives on the ground.’ The Berne Declaration does not directly question the quality of the beans used by the company (Source: Gaudard 2013, p.35 link).

Camille Bloch [also] … assures a commitment to social and sustainable practices, which the owner personally inspected on site. The family business did not complete the [EvB] questionnaire … (Source: cp 2013, np).

.. [which led them, like m]ost companies [to be] … categorized by the EvB as ‘negligent’ or ‘refusers’ (Source: cp 2.013, np).

… ‘[because ]we were unable to evaluate the measures announced by the company’ [explained] Célia Francillon, spokesperson for the [EvB] (Source: Gaudard 2013, p.35 link).

[Another ‘refuser’ company] Felchlin stated that it had not responded to the questionnaire due to the ‘complexity of [its] cocoa procurement’; furthermore, it argued that no comparison could be made with large companies, as the company had a ‘completely different strategic orientation.’ In the Swiss chocolate industry, every company is unique in its own way. However, the goal of the EvB study was precisely to compare these unique characteristics with the issue of human rights compliance. To make a comparison, we need the completed questionnaire with data in a meaningful format. The evaluation system included over 500 indicators and did indeed distinguish between large and smaller companies (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

[The] EvB did respond in writing. Campaign manager Andrea Huesser … acknowledges that .. companies [like] Camille Bloch and Max Felchlin, are partly acting in a progressive manner. ‘[So, i]t’s a shame that the companies don’t disclose their knowledge. They could potentially serve as role models,’ she says (Source: cp 2013, np).

Pfister Chocolatier has not commented on either the study or the campaign. For the time being, the company does not appear to be interested at all in the debate regarding compliance with labor and human rights (Source: EvB 2013a, np link).

According to the director of Chocosuisse, Franz Schmid, the Swiss chocolate producers do a great deal to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers and their families (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

But … these efforts fail to convince the EvB. At the grassroots level, among small farmers, nothing has trickled down yet, says [EvB] study author Hüsser: ‘There’s a lot of talk, but almost no action’ (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

[For example, ‘t]raceability is the first step needed to even be able to source socially responsible raw materials,’ says … Hüsser. However, this alone by no means guarantees social sustainability. (Source: Romeo 2011, p.43).

[It] alone does not guarantee cocoa farmers better conditions. ‘The biggest problem is the low purchase prices, which also fluctuate extremely,’ explains … Hüsser … For the farmers, stable and living prices are important, with which they can also afford a doctor or school education for their children, for example (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

Furthermore, Lindt only collects origin information for the beans used to produce cocoa mass. ‘The purchased cocoa butter is not traceable.’ Lindt confirms this; however, the required quantity is disproportionate to the amount of cocoa butter needed, as the beans also contain cocoa butter (Source: Romeo 2011, p.43).

‘If you include the purchase of cocoa butter, the traceability at Lindt & Sprüngli is reduced to less than half of the cocoa beans related,’ explained [EvB’s] Hüsser. She acknowledges that there have been improvements at Lindt & Sprüngli, but the guidelines that the company is guided by remains in the dark (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

Moreover, [Hüsser] argues, chocolate manufacturers have only taken action because of the looming threat of a future cocoa bean shortage. ‘Behind this supposedly ethical behavior lie hard-nosed economic interests,’ says Hüsser (Source: Blank 2013, np link).

‘Companies that make such high profits, like Lindt & Sprüngli (271.9 million francs) or Nestlé (10.6 billion francs), clearly have the resources to accelerate their programs to make the cocoa supply chain more transparent, reduce farmer poverty, and thus decrease child labor,’ explains Célia Francillon … at the [EvB]. … Nestlé points out, however, that a single company cannot solve labor standards issues in the cocoa sector (Source: Wurlod 2013, p.68).

‘If Lindt & Sprüngli were to stand up for 100 percent fair prices and 100 percent compliance with human rights, this would have a signal effect for the entire industry, emphasizes [EvB’s] Hüsser (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

[I]t is an illusion to think that all problems can be solved from Switzerland. ‘The main cause of the problems is poverty in these countries,’ [Chocosuisse’s Franz] Schmid [explains]. ‘Swiss chocolate producers are very committed to improving the situation in the villages of cocoa farmers’ (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

‘It is true that today, the quantity of [Fair Trade and other] certified cocoa produced is not [currently] sufficient to meet the needs of major retailers,’ [EvB] concedes in its report (Source: Wurlod 2013, p.68).

[M]eeting all the requirements of the EvB is impossible (Source: Merkt 2013, np link).

‘A consultative approach, involving industry, government, and non-governmental organizations, is necessary to achieve effective long-term solutions,’ [says Nestlé’s] Meike Schmidt. Initial proposals for this sector, which represents some $9 billion in global revenue, were developed at the first World Cocoa Conference at the end of last year. Industrialists, traders, governments, NGOs, and other experts, meeting in Abidjan, agreed on an agenda to ensure a ‘sustainable’ cocoa economy, capable of transforming cocoa farms into modern businesses and providing fair incomes. The major challenge in the coming years will indeed be to invest massively to encourage the establishment of certified production, which is therefore considered socially and environmentally responsible (Source: Wurlod 2013, p.68).

Over the last years, civil society has increasingly started to come together, especially in Europe. Various individual NGO’s and networks have run campaigns, such as … Berne Declaration’s campaigns on human rights in cocoa … The VOICE Network has collectively engaged in advocacy, as well as information-sharing with farmers and civil society from the Global South. At the same time many individual NGO’s implement programmes in producing nations or engage in advocacy work. Cocoa farmers are in the first stages of regional and international cooperation, with the launching of various networks of cocoa farmer organizations (Source: Sommeregger et al 2016, p.58).