John,

Last year the United States consumed a record-setting 3 billion pounds of avocados, roughly 90% of them imported from Mexico. To meet skyrocketing demand, plantations have been gobbling up Mexican forests where imperiled monarch butterflies spend the winter.

Thanks to pressure from the Center and our allies, an innovative program aims to prevent avocados grown on newly deforested land from reaching U.S. markets. The Pro-Forest Agriculture (aka PFA) program, run by an independent nonprofit, uses satellite data to screen orchards for recent deforestation and environmental violations. It's already blocked 2,900 orchards tied to deforestation from entering certified supply chains.

Now U.S. grocery stores must adopt corporate policies to stop deforestation in their avocado supply chains by requiring all suppliers to use the PFA program. [link removed]

This program certifies packinghouses that source only from orchards on land cleared before 2018. And it's working: More than 90% of Mexican avocado exports to the United States are now PFA certified. But as long as any packinghouses remain outside the system, Mexico's forests are vulnerable.

Costco has already committed to reducing deforestation in its avocado supply chain and engaging its suppliers with the PFA program.

Join us in urging top U.S. grocery stores to follow Costco's lead and protect monarchs, forests, and communities by adopting the PFA program. [link removed]

********************************************

This message was sent to [email protected].

Donate now to support the Center's work: [link removed]

Update your communications preferences: [link removed]

View our privacy policy: [link removed]

Opt out of this mailing list: [link removed]

Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States