Soy is increasingly used as an alternative to meat. Global soy production has doubled in the past twenty years. Yet only about 6% of all soy grown worldwide is destined for food such as soy milk. Almost three quarters of soy is processed in animal feed.

Is that bad?

Basically not. Soy is a good source of proteins, minerals and fats. Unfortunately, many forests are cut down for the cultivation of soy. For example, Brazil is the world’s largest producer of soy and a lot of Amazon forest has been cleared in the past to make room for soy cultivation.

What is RTRS?

Since 2006, there has been a moratorium on soy production in the Amazon on areas deforested after 2006. This has ensured that soy contributes much less to the deforestation of the largest rainforest in the world. Yet more is needed, soy production now threatens other natural areas, such as the Cerrado savanna in Brazil.

The Round Table of Responsible Soy (RTRS) is an international partnership that seeks to combat deforestation by certifying soy production. Such a certificate indicates that the soy has been grown in an environmentally friendly way. There are also social and economic aspects.

100% sustainable

It is striking that the Dutch animal feed industry already uses 100% sustainable soy. For example, there are agreements that only RTRS certified soy may be used in animal feed for the dairy, meat and egg sectors. By complying with the RTRS guidelines as a supplier, you will therefore gain access to most of the animal feed industry.

Who is RTRS for?

Not only soy producers can be certified. Also storage and transhipment, processors, transporters – the entire chain of custody can be certified for RTRS. Because the entire chain is certified, you can guarantee that the soy you use contributes to a more sustainable world.

In addition, it is possible to use RTRS Credits. In this way you contribute to the RTRS program and you can compensate for unsustainable soy.

Video: RTRS about the importance of responsible soy. Source

Obtain an RTRS certificate

To be RTRS certified, the requirements from the RTRS standards incorporated into a quality system or included in the existing quality system. In addition, the company must set up a track & trace system in the form of a mass balance to record the sustainability data. A sustainability statement must be drawn up for each batch. This sustainability statement is based on data provided by the supplier.

Keeping track of sustainability data is an important part of the RTRS certification and should be properly maintained. The time spent by the company depends on the type of company, the track & trace system present and the amount of transactions that the company carries out.

RTRS and Schouten Advies

Schouten Advies has years of experience in the food and feed sectors. With our expertise you can make your raw materials more sustainable. Our consultants regularly support and shape the quality policies for our customers. This way we can assist if you are short-handed. Please contact Schouten Advies to discuss the secondment options.

In addition, Schouten Advies offers a wide range of training courses. We help you to keep your knowledge up to date. We provide both in-company training and courses at our own location in Giessen. Would you like to discuss the possibilities for a training on Round Table or Responsible Soy? Please contact us.

Click here for more information about our academy.