NEPCon joins Danish Alliance for Sustainable Soy
Environmental organisations, government agencies and businesses have joined forces in the fight against the import of unsustainable soy.
Copenhagen, 24 September 2019 - Globally, the production of soy covers roughly 1 million square kilometers. However, only 20 percent of Danish imports, which totals approximately 1,7 million tonne per year, have been sourced from certified suppliers.
“Unsustainably produced soy has serious environmental and social consequences. Initiatives like this serve to increase awareness and turn focus to certified suppliers, who are willing to minimise the negative impact of their crop on forests and communities,” said Christian Sloth, ResponsibleSource Programme Manager at NEPCon.
Members of the Alliance, which includes some of Denmark's largest retailers, will commit to a plan of action to secure sustainable soy imports and submit yearly reports on their progress.
“Soy is an important protein source, but we should not stand by watching while the production of soy and other crops destroys forests and biodiversity in South America. The production of soy should happen in a responsible way and without negative impacts such as deforestation,” said Mikkel Stenbæk Hansen, Executive Director of The Danish Ethical Trading Initiative, which coordinates the alliance.
Businesses taking part already include COOP, Rema 1000, Lidl and ALDI, giving the Danish Soy Alliance substantial leverage on global markets. However, the Alliance has plenty of room for more members and other businesses will hopefully be inspired to join.
- Soy is used for a range of different purpose.
- The primary use is feed for animals in the production of meat, egg and dairy products and in smaller quantities for ready-made products such as soy milk and soy beans.
- The global soy production covers more than 1 million square kilometers and part of the production has led to deforestation in South America.
- Danish imports total some 1,7 million tonne per year. Only 20 percent is coming from sustainable, certified suppliers.
- The Danish Alliance for Sustainable Soy aims to stop all imports of unsustainably produced soy.
Click here to read the press release (in Danish).
