Distribution Network
Content
Businesses involved in the production and processing of soya beans have set up a global organization to reduce the industry's negative social and environmental impacts.
The Roundtable on Responsible Soy was created formally at a conference in Paraguay last month by soy producers, processors, traders, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Its first task will be to develop globally applicable principles on responsible production, processing and trading of soy within the next 18 months.
The principles are expected to cover biodiversity, conversion of natural habitats to farmland, better agricultural practices and labour law compliance.
WWF, which is supporting the effort, said it was a 'landmark decision' in light of the recent decision by five multinational food trading companies to stop sourcing soya beans grown on newly deforested land in Brazil (EP8, issue 4, p12). 'The private sector is beginning to understand it needs to do its homework, and quickly, to avoid less desirable outcomes such as product boycotts or the establishment of non-tariff barriers to eradicate irresponsibly produced soy,' said Leonardo Lacerda, of WWF's Global Forests Programme.
The companies supporting the new project include the Dutch business Nutreco, a multinational animal feed business that uses large amounts of soya beans.
Members of the Roundtable's organizing committee include ABN Amro, the Brazilian Oilseed Processors' Association and Unilever. A particular challenge would be to bring the large number of small soy producers up to scratch, they said.
The Roundtable on Responsible Soy was created formally at a conference in Paraguay last month by soy producers, processors, traders, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Its first task will be to develop globally applicable principles on responsible production, processing and trading of soy within the next 18 months.
The principles are expected to cover biodiversity, conversion of natural habitats to farmland, better agricultural practices and labour law compliance.
WWF, which is supporting the effort, said it was a 'landmark decision' in light of the recent decision by five multinational food trading companies to stop sourcing soya beans grown on newly deforested land in Brazil (EP8, issue 4, p12). 'The private sector is beginning to understand it needs to do its homework, and quickly, to avoid less desirable outcomes such as product boycotts or the establishment of non-tariff barriers to eradicate irresponsibly produced soy,' said Leonardo Lacerda, of WWF's Global Forests Programme.
The companies supporting the new project include the Dutch business Nutreco, a multinational animal feed business that uses large amounts of soya beans.
Members of the Roundtable's organizing committee include ABN Amro, the Brazilian Oilseed Processors' Association and Unilever. A particular challenge would be to bring the large number of small soy producers up to scratch, they said.
Super Featured
No
Featured
No