Slide 2
Slide 2 text
These measures have a clear and quantifiable impact on environmental sustainability. In fact, statistics show
that since 1980, U.S. farmers reduced energy use by 42%, and reduced emissions by 41%. And the United States
is number one in the world when it comes to forest area designated primarily for conservation of biodiversity.
U.S. Soy Sustainability
Assurance Protocol (SSAP)
Sustainability is a focus from the
beginning to the end of the soybean
value chain. The U.S. Soy industry worked
together with a multi-stakeholder group
made up of consumers from around the
world, non-governmental organizations (NGOS) and
farmers to jointly develop the independently audited
U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP).
SSAP:
• Is a certified aggregate approach audited by third
parties that verifies sustainable soybean production
at a national scale. The third-party audits are
conducted annually by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
• Outlines and measures four directives related to
sustainability: Biodiversity, sustainable production
practices, public and labor health, and continuous
improvement of practices.
• Allows customers to refer to SSAP to help meet
their own corporate social responsibility need
and consumer expectations without increasing
their costs.
U.S. Soy’s Carbon Footprint
USSEC engaged Blonk Consultants to help answer
the question: What is the environmental footprint
of U.S. Soy compared to other sourcing countries for
the European (and other) markets? Blonk compared
1 kilogram (kg) of soybeans, 1 kg of soybean meal
crushed at market, and 1 kg crushed in the country
of origin, using a life cycle assessment (LCA).
According to Blonk Consultants:
• Cultivation and land use change both are major
contributors to carbon footprint. In general, the
U.S. has higher yields, minimal fertilizer use, and
efficient machinery, all of which help to minimize
U.S. Soy’s carbon footprint.
• While deforestation in South American countries
has had a negative impact on the carbon footprint
soy produced in that region, in the U.S., 78 million
hectares of land are protected national forests
and grasslands
• The impact of soy on animal production is another
key factor when comparing carbon footprints of soy
from different origins. Blonk Consultants compared a
case study from 2013, which included a mix of Dutch
soymeal market mix, made up of mostly Brazilian
and Argentinian meals to a Dutch market mix of
soybean meal with U.S. soybean meal. The analysis
found that the total impact of the carbon
footprint of poultry was lower with the
U.S. soybean meal.
Visit daretocompare.ussoy.org/sustainability/en/
to learn more about Dare to Compare.
42%
ENERGY USE
41%
EMISSIONS
IN FOREST AREA DESIGNATED
PRIMARILY FOR CONSERVATION
OF BIODIVERSITY
#1IN THE
WORLD