Global agribusiness giant ADM is offering fully verified, segregated and traceable soyabean meal and oil to European customers as European Union (EU) deforestation regulations are set to be take effect later this year.
Aimed at promoting the consumption of deforestation-free products within the EU to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was adopted by the European Parliament in 2023 and will come into force on 30 December.
Under the EUDR, any operator or trader who places soyabeans, palm oil, coffee, cattle, cocoa, wood and rubber or their derived products on the EU market must be able to prove that the products do not originate from land deforested since 2020 or have contributed to forest degradation. They will also have to provide precise geographical information on the land where these commodities have been grown.
“Thanks to the … participation of our farmer network and our … US elevators and segregated transportation and logistics capabilities, we are in a position to supply all of our existing customers in Europe with soyabean meal and oil once new rules go into effect at the end of this year,” Sebastian Kuck, ADM general manager, EMEA [Europe, the Middle East and Africa] Soy Crush, said on 8 July.
In March, the company launched a fully traceable North American soyabean programme, re:source, which involved almost 5,300 farmers across 15 US states for the 2024 season.
Using technology, such as the FBN Gradable digital platform and ADM’s origination and transportation capabilities, the programme verified, traced and segregated soyabeans from farms to their final destination.
In addition, the company said it would use the sustainability measurement platform TRACT, an industry-led joint venture, to provide enhanced traceability solutions to its customers across the supply chain.
Beyond North America, ADM said it continued to work across other key regions to pilot soyabean crushing and exporting of both soyabeans and meal to the EU in fully traceable and segregated supply chains.
“Although industry continues to await final implementation guidance from the European Commission on the EU Deforestation Regulation’s requirements, this programme will ensure we can continue give US farmers the choice and the opportunity to add value by supplying global markets, while meeting our customers’ needs through ADM’s fully segregated and dedicated supply chain,” John Turney, ADM president, EMEA Oilseeds, said.
