European feed industry continues commitment to responsible soy

(Posted on 26/09/23)

The European Soy Monitor 2021 has been published, containing an overview of estimations on the use of responsible and deforestation-free soy in European animal feed production in 2021. The report points to 40% of soybean meal equivalent of total European soy consumption to be sourced according to the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines and 24% certified deforestation-free soy. The report also refers to FEFAC’s initial risk assessment which estimates that 93.9% of EU soy imports were sourced from low-deforestation regions, based on EU trade statistics and industry expert assessments.

Since the publication of the first European Soy Monitor of 2018 estimations, the feed industry has demonstrated remarkable progress in responsible soy usage. The provisional data for 2021 indicates that FEFAC members reported an increase of 21% compared to 2018.

Responsible soy, as defined by FEFAC, refers to soy provided through supplier and member schemes and programs that adhere to the criteria outlined in the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines. These guidelines encompass good agricultural practices, environmental considerations, and social responsibility.

FEFAC President Pedro Cordero expressed his satisfaction with the continued progress, stating, “I am pleased with the continued positive trend that the European feed sector and its supply chain partners have been able to display as regards the industry’s use of responsible soy. I am confident that we will make further progress on the mainstream market transition of responsible soy use from both imported and home-grown sources.”

The European Soy Monitor Report plays a crucial role in contributing to the ongoing EU debate on the protection of world forests, aligned with the Green Deal action plan of the European Commission. As part of these efforts, FEFAC recently reviewed its Soy Sourcing Guidelines to include ‘conversion-free’ soy as an essential criterion for responsible soy schemes & programmes.

The commitment of the European feed industry to responsible soy sourcing has remained strong. FEFAC welcomes the findings of the IDH Soy Monitor, which acknowledges the importance of assessing deforestation risk exposure across all soy used in Europe. FEFAC’s internal estimates indicate that a significant part of soy used in the EU in 2021 came from regions with low deforestation risk, including the EU, United States, Canada, and Ukraine. These sources are considered “deforestation-free,” although not officially certified as such. Furthermore, FEFAC reports that responsible soy and certified deforestation-free soy have continued to gain traction, with total industrial usage surpassing 14 million tonnes in 2021.

Latest News

SSAB delivers decarbonised steel to Vattenfall’s solar park project in Germany

SSAB is supplying decarbonised steel to Vattenfall for the construction of the ground-mounted solar... Read more

NGFA statement on STB’s decision to conditionally accept rail merger application

In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules, the Board has conditionally... Read more

EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability

FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for... Read more

Fertilizer Action Plan: recognition must now translate into delivery

Fertilizers Europe has acknowledged the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan, which recognises... Read more

Tripartite MOU to establish direct U.S.–DRC cobalt supply chain

Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, EVelution Energy LLC and Trafigura Pte Ltd. has announced... Read more

Commissioning of Oxelösund electric arc furnace delayed due to permitting

SSAB’s conversion of the mill in Oxelösund to fossil-free production is being delayed due... Read more

YEC agreement supports decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations

Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy... Read more

ASA Vice President urges caution in USTR Section 301 investigation

Soybean farmers are already facing significant economic headwinds and new trade actions could add further... Read more

ADM investment to upgrade Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility

ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced a multimillion-dollar investment... Read more

JV in Bayuquan, China to strengthen global raw material supply chains

CREMER ERZKONTOR GmbH has announced the official opening of its joint venture, CREMER (Yingkou) Supply... Read more