In recent years, sustainability has evolved from a marketing buzzword into a business imperative – and sourcing sits at the heart of this transformation for Europe’s feed and livestock sectors. The question now is not whether we need sustainable soy, but how we define it, secure it and use it without compromising competitiveness.
Europe imports roughly 30 million metric tons of soybeans and soy products each year, primarily from South America. This dependency has triggered environmental, social and political concerns, particularly regarding deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado regions. In response, various sustainability initiatives have emerged, including the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS), ProTerra and the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation’s (FEFAC) Soy Sourcing Guidelines.
