FrieslandCampina and Royal Agrifirm Group are joining forces for the purpose to create a physically separated supply stream of guaranteed deforestation-free soy for livestock feed. The two cooperatives are determined to speed up this development. In the course of 2022, deforestation-free soy for livestock will be supplied by Agrifirm to FrieslandCampina member dairy farmers. Both cooperatives would like to encourage the entire feed sector to join their initiative, so all dairy farmers can make the switch with their feed.
Said Hein Schumacher, CEO, FrieslandCampina: “Responsible sourcing is one of the priorities within our sustainability programme ‘Nourishing a better planet’. This also applies to the soy our member’s purchase. Since 2015, therefore, only RTRS-certified soy is used for livestock feed. However, a next step is necessary, and we would like to help our members with this. They must be able to rely on the fact that their sustainably purchased soy is also free from deforestation. That is why we are now starting a pilot with the agricultural cooperative and feed supplier Agrifirm, so that in 2022 approximately one-third of our members can switch to guaranteed deforestation-free soy. However, together with Agrifirm, we want to challenge the rest of the livestock feed sector to take more steps in this direction faster and where possible, we will help to achieve this. Because as cooperatives, we know: you achieve more together than alone.”
Added Ruud Tijssens, Group Director Public & Cooperative Affairs, Royal Agrifirm Group: “Our goal is to ensure 100% of the soy required by dairy farmers is guaranteed to be harvested from non-deforested fields. The social cost of soy production must not be at the expense of nature, climate or farmers. Therefore, the additional costs of this guarantee will be passed on to the market, thus avoiding a cost increase for dairy farmers. Ultimately, we want to be able to offer farmers 100% guaranteed deforestation-free soy. We believe this is possible, which is why we are taking part in this large-scale trial.”
Concluded Dick Hordijk, CEO, Royal Agrifirm Group: “As Agrifirm we are continually working step by step, on tomorrow’s responsible food chain. Making a contribution to solving the deforestation issue is an integral part of that. This is another step in the right direction.” For more visit frieslandcampina.com
