The Task Force Sustainable Soy is the platform of a group of Dutch companies that are involved in the soy chain and that wish to make a contribution to the sustainable production of soya.
Participants in the Task Force come from the oils and fats, processing (crush), animal feed, meat and dairy sectors. The Product Board for Margarine, Fats and Oils (MVO) chairs the Task Force and together with NEVEDI manages the secretariat. As observers, the trade organizations FEDIOL (Federation of European Oil and Protein Meal Industries) and FEFAC (European Feed Manufacturers' Federation) are also participants in the Task Force.

In the last 10 years, under the influence of a growing world demand for soy for food and animal feed, soy cultivation in South America has undergone tremendous growth. The Task Force recognizes the need for more attention to be paid to the ecological and social consequences of the expansion of South American soy farming. Themes are, inter alia, the effects on biodiversity (deforestation), the social consequences for the indigenous population and the sustainability of production itself (use of pesticides, susceptibility to erosion, etc.).

The European Union is a major importer of South American soy. Almost 85% of the EU’s imported soy comes from South America. Virtually half of Argentina’s export of soy is destined for Europe, and as regards Brazilian exports this figure is almost 60%. With her ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands plays a special role in the import of soy to Europe. Our country is responsible for 30% of EU imports of soybeans and 20% of EU imports of soy meal.