Round Table on Responsible Soy Association

On the 23rd and 24th of May the RTRS organized its 7th International Conference on Responsible Soy (RT7) in London, UK. This 7^th edition of the key annual meeting of soy value chain stakeholders took place in a European country for the first time in its history. The first 6 edition all took place in South American soy producing countries Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Since producers started to certify RTRS almost a year ago – June 2011 – it was now time to become more intimate with the demand side of the value chain. The intention and approach was well received as quit a few supermarket representatives from the UK, The Netherlands and Switzerland as well as representatives from the European food and feed industry participated at the RT7. For those of you who weren´t able to participate, we´ve tried to create a visual overview of the events.

Keynote opening speech Mark Murphy, Assistant Vice President Cargill Corporate Affairs and Executive Director, Cargill Foundation, USA

Jaap Oskam, RTRS President, giving a closing speech at the RT7

Side events that took place were focused on either involving more stakeholders in existing processes or creating better and more profound understanding of needs and expectations among stakeholders. On the day before the conference IDH invited stakeholders to discuss the RTRS business case. On the second day of the conference a breakfast on RTRS related projects in biodiversity was organized and facilitated by BACP, and a parallel soy buyers breakfast by the RTRS in order to create better understanding on retailers expectations and needs and a clear producers´ perspective. On Friday, the day after, a field trip for producers and others to a feed mill was organized by AB Agri to finalize an exciting week in London.

AB Agri field trip to feed mill

AB Agri field trip to feed mill

Click here to see the press release on the results of the RT7. If you would like to have a look at the RT7 program and go through the power point presentations that were used by the speakers, please click here. Already last year the General Assembly recommended the RTRS Secretariat and Executive Board, both in charge of organizing the annual conference, China to be a good option for the organization of the event. Early 2012 Executive Director Agustin Mascotena visited RTRS partners in China in order to discuss possibilities. The China Soybean Industry Association (CSIA), member of the RTRS, offered to be host of the conference. In the month of June governmental approval is expected in order for CSIA to be able to help realize the organization of that event. In that case also the General Assembly and other events that usually come together with the annual conference will take place in Beijing. It is very likely for the RT8 to take place in Beijing in the week of the 27^th of May 2013. On our website, linked-in and twitter accounts we will keep you informed on progress and eventual confirmation.