Nestlé, Ferrero, Unilever and Mars have joined calls by fellow food and drink manufacturers in opposing the European Union’s delay to deforestation laws.

Set to be implemented on 30 December, the companies argue that the EU’s decision to delay the landmark deforestation policy is causing uncertainty across the industry and putting investment at risk.

The law is intended to ban foods from being sold which are made with commodities grown on deforested land such as cocoa, palm oil, rubber and wood.

However, the introduction of the policy has been delayed by the European Commission following heavy lobbying from producing countries, such as Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In a joint statement, the confectionery giants warned that further delays by the European parliament would leave firms reliant on cocoa and rubber imports vulnerable due to uncertainty in sourcing materials.

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Ferrero global public affairs vice president Franceso Tramontin told the Financial Times that “avoiding potential reopening of the regulation” was fundamental to protecting the preparations companies had already made and to drive further investment in more sustainable practices.

Nestlé Europe ESG engagement vice president Bart Vandewaetere said the confectionery and snack manufacturer had worked to comply with the regulation’s current provisions” and its suppliers had taken “significant steps towards compliance”.

Vandewaetere added: “We encourage policymakers to maintain its core framework without reopening it.”

The news follows supermarket giants earlier this year urging the government to introduce measures for commodities driving deforestation and to align with EU regulations.