Where can companies in the UK start?

This guide is a collaborative effort between Efeca and Proforest, as part of the Soy Toolkit.

Purpose of this guide

The purpose of this guide is to provide an introduction to soy, how we use it, why we should source sustainable soy and to suggest some initial steps a company can take to develop and implement a policy on sustainable soy within their organisation and supply chain.

Where to start?

With growing understanding of the potential negative environmental and social impacts associated with the production and expansion of soy, companies are making increased efforts to ensure that the soy they source, including embedded soy, is produced responsibly.

This guide outlines the initial steps that can guide companies to create and implement a responsible soy sourcing commitment. The focus of this guide is soy used in animal feed, as this is where most soy in the UK is used. It is important to have a clear ‘ask’ that can be effectively communicated both internally within your organisation and across your supply chain.

This is particularly important within a commodity like soy where ‘sustainability’ can mean different things to different actors. While it is important for each organisation to define what is important for them, there is a recognition that without clarity and consistency it is difficult for anyone (from soybean producers to retailers) to move forward. Because the need for clear and harmonised ‘asks’ is shared across all major global commodities, the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) was developed, through which a group of thought-leading NGOs have sought to provide harmonised definitions and identified good practice for sustainable trade and helped to signpost existing tools which enable companies to demonstrate progress towards commitments.

The AFi has identified four aims which companies should consider in developing their responsible sourcing policies, which are to:

• Halt deforestation

• Protect other natural ecosystems

• Respect human rights

• Support livelihoods

In 2018 the UK Roundtable on Sustainable Soya’s members developed a goal which is aligned with these principles, focusing on the urgent need to halt deforestation and protect other natural ecosystems as it was felt by members that this was where UK actors could achieve rapid positive impact. The goals of the UK Soya RT and a list of members are available on the roundtable website.