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15-12-2011 Dutch Market Commits to Responsible Soy On Thursday 15 December 2012 a large group of companies and associations involved in the Dutch soy chain signed a letter of intent to move to responsible soy in 2015. Signatories included the Dutch Feed Industry Association (Nevedi), FrieslandCampina, the Dutch Dairy Association (de Nederlandse Zuivelorganisatie NZO), the Dutch Meat Association (Centrale Organisatie voor de Vleessector (COV)), The Dutch Farmers Union (LTO Nederland), The Product Board for Poultry and Eggs, the Product Board MVO and the Dutch retailers Albert Heijn, C1000, Jumbo, Lidl en Superunie, which ensure that 90 % of the soy use in The Netherlands is covered. WWF and Solidaridad and 4 other Dutch NGOs support the initiative. Read further 26-10-2011 Soy Moratorium again prolonged until 13 January 2013 The Brazil Soy Working Group (GTS), uniting ABIOVE -The Brazilian Vegetable Oils Industry Association -, ANEC - the Brazilian National Grain Exporters Association-, their members, the Ministry of the Environment, the Bank of Brazil and the civil society organizations International Conservation, Greenpeace, IPAM, TNC and WWF-Brasil, has announced that the Soy Moratorium, signed on July 24, 2006, will be renewed for another year, until January 31, 2013. Read further 19-07-2011 EU recognition for RTRS certification scheme Today the European Union (EU) formally recognized RTRS as EU Renewable Energy Directive (EU-RED) compliant voluntary scheme. This EU recognition stimulates the third F to become part of the RTRS intervention, having started to certify soy production with destination the Dutch and Brazilian Food and Feed industry already early June 2011. This unique multi-stakeholder and global soy value chain initiative presents itself to the Fuel industry as an opportunity to contribute to the production of more sustainable raw materials. Read further 16-06-2011 RTRS Certification logo presented in Buenos Aires at RT6 On 15 and 16 June the 6th International Conference on Responsible Soy (RT6), with the title “The table is ready”, took place in Buenos Aires, with the aim to gather stakeholders of the soy value chain and different civil society organizations, and present the first cases of RTRS soy certification and trading. At the opening of the RT6 the leaving RTRS President, Jeroen Douglas, unveiled the official RTRS certification logo. Read further 08-06-2011 Dutch food & feed industry buys 85,000 tons of first responsibly produced soy The Dutch food and feed industry has bought the first batch of soy produced according to the principles of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS). This first ever market uptake of 85,000 tons was celebrated today by an event in the Rotterdam harbour at which among others RTRS Executive Secretary Agustin Mascotin was present. Read further 24-03-2011 Task Force Sustainable Soy continues to support RTRS
Response developed in reply to the appeal of some organisations to reject RTRS certified soy The Dutch Task Force Sustainable Soy dedicates itself to an ecologically and socially responsible production of soy. The Task Force takes the view that an international multi-stakeholder approach aimed at rendering the regular soy bulk flow more sustainable is most effective. Just now, the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) is the only voluntary multi-stakeholder initiative resulting in a single standard for sustainable soy. Other current initiatives only bear on niches in the soy market. That is why the Task Force Sustainable Soy backs the RTRS. Task Force Sustainable Soy continues to support RTRS (pdf) 22-03-2011 MVO and IDH organise Seminar 'Sustainable Sourcing: Soy & Palm Oil' on 11 April 2011 On 11 April MVO and the Dutch Initiative Sustainable Trade (IDH) organise the Seminar 'Sustainable Sourcing: Soy & Palm Oil'. At the seminar recognised speakers will give updates on the latest state of play regarding sustainable palm oil and responsible soy. Central questions are: Why is it important to choose for sustainable sourcing and how can you buy sustainable palm oil and responsible soy. During the morning session speakers will include Jan Kees Vis (President of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), Caroline Sikking (Marketing Manager Refined Oils Europe, Cargill) and Sandra Mulder (Expert Palm Oil and Soy, WWF).
In the afternoon there will be two workshops, one on palm oil and one on soy. During these workshops there will be room for case studies, informal discussion with experts and learning form other commodities. During the session on sustainable palm oil different companies will present their experience with the switch to sustainable palm oil, certification and purchasing. During the session on sustainable soy the latest state of play within the RTRS is discussed and the ambitions of the Dutch Initiative Sustainable Soy will be reported.
The day is meant for companies in the oils and fats sector and buyers thereof, but also government and civil society representatives are welcome. Participation is free of charge.
Click here for the invitation 10-03-2011 IDS organises information meeting on Sustainable Soy
On 10 March the Initiative Sustainable Soy (IDS), a platform that unites soy users in The Netherlands including Ahold, Storteboom, Vion, Gebr. Van Beek and FrieslandFoodCampina, organises an information meeting on its plans to work towards 100 % RTRS certified soy in 2015.
The intention of the IDS is to support the uptake of RTRS Certified material in The Netherlands. With this meeting IDS hopes to inspire more operators to start buying responsible soy. The IDS activities closely relate to the activities of the Dutch Task Force Sustainable Soy, a platform of soy producers and users aimed at promoting the use of RTRS Certified Soy in The Netherlands. More information is available here 17-12-2009 Dutch Task Force Sustainable Soy sets target for 2015
Last week the participants of the Dutch Task Force Sustainable Soy agreed new targets for the years 2010-2015. One of the most important things they agreed was the commitment to ensure that at the end of 2015 the amount of sustainable soy that is needed to satisfy the Dutch market should be produced in accordance with the RTRS principles and criteria.
Read further 15-09-2009 Dutch Ministers of Agriculture and Development Cooperation underline support RTRS
In the debate on the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) in the Dutch House of Representatives on September 10, the Ministers of Agriculture and Development Cooperation underlined their continued support for the RTRS. In response to the comments and questions of Parliamentarians, Minister of Agriculture Verburg indicated she welcomed the agreement on the RTRS Principles and Criteria that was reached in Campinas in May.
Read further 07-09-2009 Everyone should join forces in the promotion of sustainable soy (opinion article Agrarisch Dagblad)
Deforestation in South America is a very topical theme, and quite rightly so. It is often the cause of pessimism; it is said that we look on resignedly whilst trees are felled and South American farmers continue to cultivate their land in an unsustainable manner. However, things are different when it comes to the cultivation of soy, as recently an important step has been taken in the right direction.
Read further 01-08-2009 Amazon Soy Moratorium extended until 2010
The Amazon Soy Moratorium has officially been renewed until July 2010. This was announced by the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (ABIOVE) and the National Association of Grain Exporters (ANEC).
Read further 07-07-2009 Rabobank new Task Force Soy participant
The Dutch Task Force Sustainable Soy has welcomed Rabobank as a new participant. Rabobank has been one of the first members of the Round Table on Responsible Soy and also actively participated in the RTRS Criteria Development Group.
Read further 11-06-2009 Press release 'CBL launches Action Plan on Sustainable Soy'
Leidschendam, 11 June 2009 - It is the wish of Dutch supermarkets that only sustainable soy is used in the feed for cattle, chickens and pigs for the production of meat, dairy products and eggs for own-brand products.
Read further 29-05-2009 Press release ‘No more soy plantations in valuable nature’
Campinas, Brazil, 29 May 2009 - The international Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS) today stipulated that valuable areas of natural beauty near rivers and springs must be protected and the property rights of local populations respected.
Read further 22-01-2009 Dutch Minister of Agriculture underlines importance of RTRS
Based on two studies of the University of Wageningen, the Dutch minister of Agriculture Gerda Verburg has informed the Dutch Parliament on ‘the chances and risks of soy production for developing countries and the possibilities of using European alternatives for soy’.
Read further 22-01-2009 Final Public Consultation Period on RTRS criteria
The Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS) has opened up for a final round of public consultation: 1. The Draft Principles and Criteria for Responsible Soy production 2. The proposed RTRS approach to control of the supply chain.
Read further 13-11-2008 Budget RTRS Outreach program approved
The Dutch Ministry of Development Cooperation and the Dutch Task Force Sustainable Soy have agreed to co-fund the RTRS Outreach Program. This program is intended to increase support for the RTRS in Latin America, USA, Europe, China and India.
Read further 13-11-2008 RTRS DG reaches agreement on draft for second round of public consultation
The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) Criteria Development Group, the working group responsible for the development of Principles and Criteria for responsible soy production, has reached agreement on Principles and Criteria for the responsible production of soy for a second round of public consultation.
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