Community News
The launch of “Cadmium Talks” aims to Improve the management of cadmium levels in cocoa and export viability
BY PAUL JUNOR
There have been many international studies that have brought attention to the levels of cadmium in cocoa products. These have precipitated responses from international bodies such as the European Union, which is one of the world’s largest importers of chocolate and cocoa products. The 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project was established to focus on this issue. The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) is the executing agency of the EDF and SPS Measures Project, which aims to increase compliance by CARIFORUM states with international SPS measures, standards and procedures to increase international and regional market access.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA/International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) launched a project titled, “Improving Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing,” to support the management of cadmium levels in cocoa in Latin America and the Caribbean. Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and the Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) located in Trinidad and Tobago are major funders of this project and are tasked with regulating cadmium-related activities.
The press release indicates that Latin America and the Caribbean are responsible for supplying about 20% of the world’s cocoa and more than 80% of the world’s fine-flavored and organic cocoa. There are more than 400,000 tree crop farming families from 25 countries in this area, which means it is a primary source of economic sustenance for them. There are legitimate concerns that the cadmium regulation could have a negative impact on the Caribbean Region’s ability to capitalize on the economic windfalls from cocoa and chocolate markets in Europe. In addition, the impact on various stakeholders in this ecosystem would be significant. The press release notes that cocoa bean shipments are rejected significantly from these regions which is troubling.
Professor Pathnansthan Umaharan who serves as Director of the Cocoa Research Centre outlines the significance of cadmium mitigation in the press release. He notes, “Cadmium is a heavy metal found in the soil. It’s absorbed by the cocoa plant and transferred into the cocoa beans. Countries particularly the US, UK, and the European Union, have set regulations that stipulate maximum allowable limits for cadmium in cocoa-based products, which, if exceeded, can prevent access to these markets. The Caribbean Region produces cocoa, which goes into the production of boutique high-value chocolates, and there is a concern that the new regulations may hamper exports.”
In order to facilitate this conversation a series of discussions titled, “Cadmium Talks,” were launched as a part of this project. They utilize a webinar format that brings together experts from around the world to share their knowledge of solutions.
Two of the questions posed were: how much do Caribbean farmers know about cadmium, and how can we reduce cadmium in our cocoa to a safe level? With respect to the structure of the webinar, Dr. Elizabeth S. Johnson (who is the IICA Representative in Jamaica) states, “IICA is honoured to be executing this project with the leading cocoa innovation and research centres in: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago.
The issue of minimizing cadmium levels in cocoa and chocolate products is an intensive study in LAC, with projects in either Latin America, or the Caribbean funded by multiple agencies. This project, jointly funded by the EU and the STDF, is the first attempt at harmonization of methods, and farmer-ready mitigation strategies across Latin America and the Caribbean tainting market access. We are very excited about the awareness-raising and discussion forum opportunity with the Launch of our ‘Cadmium Talks’ webinars.”
The five webinars will feature experts on different topics on Cadmium in Cocoa and will include a Q & A format. They will be released later in audio formats. Cd Talks one and two have occurred and others are forthcoming.
For information on Cadmium Talks check the website: https://www.edfspcariforum.online/