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The U.S. Soybean Export Council today announced the release of the third U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol annual report outlining sustainability progress and successes in U.S. soybean production.
The SSAP serves as a framework for sustainable production practices for U.S. farmers while also allowing global buyers to demonstrate their own commitment to sourcing sustainable ingredients.
“This year, we’re happy to report that 71% of all U.S. Soy exports were shipped with an SSAP certificate verifying that the soybeans or soy products were produced in compliance with U.S. laws, regulation, production practices and audit processes outlined in the SSAP,” said Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO. “This underscores U.S. Soy’s rapidly expanding role in supporting sustainable nutrition security globally.”
Created in 2014 to provide credible information and assurance to U.S. Soy customers that the soy they purchase is sustainably produced, the protocol includes sustainability verification data, progress and sustainability impacts, and key directives.
Report highlights include:
- The number of products labeled with the Sustainable U.S. Soy or Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels increased to more than 1,200 across 22 countries.
- Dutch Mill food company became the first soy milk brand in Thailand to feature the Sustainable U.S. Soy label.
- More than 207 companies globally have utilized transferable SSAP certificates, extending sustainability verification
- throughout the value chain.
- GFLI-verified carbon footprint data available on SSAP certificates.
- U.S. soybean farmers maintain the lowest carbon footprint globally.
The report also outlines future U.S. Soy sustainability goals, including a 10% reduction in land use impact; a 25% reduction in soil erosion; a 10% reduction in energy use; and a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
“U.S. soybean growers are committed to conservation practices that deliver high quality, reliable, sustainable soy products to customers across the world and we’re proud of their agricultural leadership,” Sutter said.
Read the report here.
Source: U.S. Soybean Export Council
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