Biodiversity and deforestation
Impact on society and Vion's role
The nature of our supply chain means Vion is linked to a potential negative impact on biodiversity. There is a risk of deforestation to produce soy for livestock feed. Via the livestock farms that supply us, we are linked to a risk of biodiversity loss through the emission of ammonia and through monoculture, soil acidification and land use and land management. In addition, transportation by us and our supply chain emit nitrogen.The other side of the picture is that by also offering organic meat, we work towards agricultural practices that help ensure sustainable food production and maintain ecosystems. With our commitment to deforestation-free soy supply chains, we work, with farmers, on halting deforestation.
Our policy, commitment and objectives
The topic ‘Biodiversity and deforestation’ forms part of our strengthened sustainability strategy, containing topics and targets which are important for sustainable food production and consumption. Our most important objective is to achieve deforestation- free soy supply chains.
To protect biodiversity, we are committed to stimulating the production of organic meat by taking a leading position not only in the Netherlands, but also in Germany and Belgium, and to setting up organic supply chains for both pork and beef in these countries. De Groene Weg, market leader in organic meat in the Netherlands and second biggest player in Europe, processes over 100,000 organic pigs per year. De Groene Weg is certified by Skal, conforms to the European organic standard and is also certified with the Beter Leven Keurmerk 3-star label.
Within dairy farming, increasing attention is being paid to improving biodiversity. Many Dutch dairy cattle farmers use the biodiversity monitor – a tool which monitors positive and negative impacts on biodiversity. Based on this assessment, a location- specific biodiversity plan has been implemented on farms.
To reduce the emission of nitrogen during transport, Vion has been replacing its fleet of EURO 5 diesel trucks with the latest EURO 6-compliant alternatives. We will also use more electric trucks. The last EURO 5 vehicles were replaced at the start of 2023.
To protect biodiversity, we are committed to stimulating the production of organic meat by taking a leading position
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Activities in 2022
During 2022, we distributed 100 insect hotels, 500 bird houses and other materials, such as flower seeds, to local sites and farms that have a long-lasting relationship with Vion and who form part of the Good Farming Star programme. Through this, we stimulate our suppliers to commit to biodiversity. Also, we hold regular meetings with farmers who are part of our BBC programmes, with farm biodiversity forming part of these discussions.
Processed animal proteins
We participate in experiments on the use of safe, processed animal proteins in animal feed. This is one of the key projects for improving circularity in meat production and avoiding the waste of animal protein with a high nutritional value. The food industry in our region produces a lot of by- products. Examples include bakery by-products, spent grain from breweries and by-products from dairy production. These by-products are not suitable for human consumption but are an indispensable part of pig feed. Re-using what would otherwise be food waste has a substantial impact on creating more sustainable and regionally-based pork production; it eliminates the need for products such as soy and so avoids an increasing pressure on biodiversity.
Organic beef
In September 2022, De Groene Weg started building a chain for organic beef from the Netherlands.
Re-using what would otherwise be food waste has a substantial impact on creating more sustainable and regionally-based pork production
Deforestation-free soy
Together with several relevant stakeholders, such as the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS), global banks, soy importers, retail and others, we are working to find a way to systematically clarify the origin of soy. Once such a system has been activated, we will be able to control the origin of soy and work towards excluding soy that is linked to deforestation. We need to ensure transparency regarding the origin
and certification of soy and, where possible, use circular and residual flows for feed proteins. With our partners, we are working to develop an infrastructure to ensure that soy does not come from fields associated with deforestation (Land Use Change (LUC) free, Deforestation Conversion Free (DCF), Identity Preserved soy).
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Results
Almost all production sites within Vion have moved to the IF-PFA standard according to the plan.