Soybean production is closely linked to deforestation and land grabbing, although the media impact is even less than that of cocoa and oil palm because it is used mainly as feed. Profundo, in collaboration with WWF Germany and IUCN NL (National Committee of the Netherlands), analyzed and compared 20 voluntary standard systems approved by FEFAC SSG (European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation). (1)
The growing demand for soybeans in the world
According to FAOSTAT data, 388 million tons of soybeans were grown in 2021, occupying about 130 million hectares worldwide. To understand the strong environmental impact, which is not matched by as much debate in the public, oil palm plantations have occupied “only” about 20 million hectares. (2) And this lack of awareness in the head of consumers is probably due to the fact that 75 percent of all the world’s production is is used in feed for farm animals.
As the world population is expected to grow to 10 billion in 2050, it is assumed that the demand for soybeans will also continue to grow to meet the demand for animal products. And if it is not cultivated sustainably, we will see the loss of key ecosystems.
The impact of soybeans on ecosystems.
The demand for soybeans, particularly cheap soybeans intended for animals, has already resulted in the destruction of essential, biodiversity-rich ecosystems. In addition to the Amazon, the Cerrado, Gran Chaco, and Chiquitania in South America and the Great Plains in North America have been affected. While increasingly at risk are African savannas and Central Asian grasslands. Although China is the largest importer of soybeans, it is Europe that has the greatest impact on Brazilian forests.
In addition to deforestation, conventional soybean crops require conspicuous use of chemicals that, if not well managed, can pollute soil and water. Therefore, a transition to a sustainable farming model that respects ecosystems and the rights of local people is needed. FEFAC has committed to this by improving the guidelines on soybean cultivation in 2021. In addition, from 2024-2025 operators and traders will have to ensure that a range of products, including soybeans, and their derivatives, are deforestation-free. (3) They will also have to prove that they do not violate the rights of workers and the people where the raw material is grown.
The evaluation of standards
To date, 20 voluntary standards have been deemed in compliance with the Soybean Sourcing Guidelines (FEFAC SSG). These standards were compared by Profundo with the 49 basic provisions and 11 additional requirements to assess whether the standard is:
- complying with the criteria of the Deforestation Regulation,
- In line with the key criteria of Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, (4)
- compatible with the Accountability Framework Initiative’s guidelines on providing conversion-free soybeans and respecting human rights,
- compatible with the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL) criteria for assessing the reliability of monitoring compliance with the above criteria.
The evaluation criteria have been updated with the collaboration of WWF and are grouped into the following categories:
1. Avoid degradation of natural ecosystems and loss of biodiversity;
2. Social issues and human rights;
3. Traceability;
4. Governance and level of assurance.
The method of comparison used by Profundo
The 20 standards were asked to self-assess with a ‘yes/no’ response for each criterion justified by reference to the standards. Answers were evaluated by Profundo and corrected if the evidence provided was insufficient. Each criterion was assigned a score from 0 to 1 based on the answer given.
A final assessment is provided for each standard that can be found in the report. In general, areas for improvement have been identified for all standards, including:
- almost all standards tolerate chemicals whose use is not completely banned but restricted;
- most standards prohibit the release of invasive species, but almost no VSS require that the harm already caused by these species be mitigated;
- no standard requires full transparency about biodiversity;
- no standard requires the protection of rare, threatened and endangered species;
- governance, transparency and assurance can be improved for almost any standard that does not have an adequate internal control system.
Conclusions
In accordance with the EUDR, the standards should include clear requirements against deforestation and conversion of natural ecosystems by providing geographic references and high-resolution maps that should be kept for 5 years. Human rights and healthy and safe working conditions should also be guaranteed. Although there is room for improvement possible for all standards, those rated as best by Profundo are: RTRS, Donau Soja, Europe Soya, ProTerra, ProTerra Europe, ISCC EU and ISCC Plus.
Independent, multi-stakeholder VSSs also have proven to be more robust than corporate-owned programs because they are independently governed and provide for stakeholder participation. An active role against deforestation can also be played by consumers by reducing consumption of meat and animal by-products.
Alessandra Mei
Notes
(1) Pavel Boev, Jan Willem van Gelder. Setting a new bar for deforestation and conversion-free soy in Europe. Profundo. 24.8.2023 https://www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/Amazonas/Setting-the-new-Bar-for-Conversion-free-Soy-in-Europe.pdf
(2) Dario Dongo. Brazil, land grabbing and deforestation for Ferrero and Big Food’s ‘sustainable’ palm oil. Open letter. FT (Food Times) 22.5.2023
(3) Dario Dongo. Deforestation Regulation. Due diligence on critical raw materials kicks off. FT (Food Times) 29.7.2023
(4) Dario Dongo, Alessandra Mei. CSR, European Sustainability Reporting Standard. The new obligations for businesses. FT (Food Times) 3.7.2023
Graduated in Law from the University of Bologna, she attended the Master in Food Law at the same University. You participate in the WIISE srl benefit team by dedicating yourself to European and international research and innovation projects.
