Dutch companies use 1.8 million tonnes of soya products and 0.13 million tonnes of soya oil. The 1.8 million tonnes of soya products are used for animal feed, while the 0.13 million tons of soya oil are used for food products and technical applications. These figures had not yet been charted until now.
In the Netherlands, soya is used for the production of meat, milk, eggs, margarines, other products containing oil, and various technical applications. The total Dutch consumption is around 2% of the production in South America.
The LEI research is a good basis for determining the policy of Dutch companies wanting to switch to sustainable soya. Frans Claassen, chairman of the Sustainable Soya Task Force says, ‘Because soya is used for many different applications by various sectors, it is important that chain parties join forces to see how they can improve sustainability. The LEI report offers us a good basis for this’.
The Dutch Sustainable Soya Task Force involves companies which import soya into the Netherlands and process and use it for the production of both food and animal feed. In view of the international character of the production, trade and processing of soya beans, all Task Force participants are committed to the premises of the international Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS). This is an international initiative involving social organisations, governments, banks, companies and soya producers aimed at improving the sustainability of soya production.
The Task Force participants have expressed the ambition to ensure that by the end of 2015, the amount of soya required to meet the needs of the Dutch market must be responsibly produced according to the RTRS Principles and Criteria. The first soya products certified according to the RTRS standard will be available for the European market by mid-2011.
Summary Soya consumption in the Netherlands
About Task Force Sustainable Soy
Round Table on Responsible Soy Association