Soy production and consumption grow at a rhythm without precedents. They demand more land, water, agrochemicals and fuel than ever. This expansion entails a series of economic, ecological and social impacts - from conflicts over land rights to pollution, from soil erosion to labor issues. Land clearing for monocultural plantations removes forests and savannas, destroys most of the local biodiversity and demands wide-scale use of artificial fertilizer and agrochemicals, which menace the ground and surface water systems. Plus, soy production generates few jobs per area due to the intense use of mechanization.

Concerned with this reality, a group of producers, NGOs and companies gathered in London, in 2004, to begin a multi-stakeholder dialogue that intended to promote the use of a responsible standard of soy production, processing andtrade.
Members of the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association are convinced that only through a transparent and open effort the current model excesses will be minimized, with sustainable benefits for local populations, producers and the soy value chain.

RTRS’s main decision making body is the Executive Board, on behalf of and with the mandate of the General Assembly, which consists of all the participating members.

Both are represented in an equally balanced way by the three constituencies: 
1)Producers
2) Industry, Trade & Finance
3) Civil Society Organizations.

Other interested groups, such as public institutions, research organizations and individuals, are accepted as observing members but have no voting rights.

 

RTRS Chart

 

In order to achieve its agenda, the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association pursues the following objectives:

  • Facilitate a global dialogue on soy that is economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sound.
  • Reach consensus among key stakeholders and players linked to the soy industry.
  • Act as Forum to develop and promote a standard of sustainability for the production, processing, trading and use of soy.
  • Act as an internationally recognized forum for the monitoring of global soy production in terms of sustainability.
  • Mobilize diverse sectors interested in participating in the Round Table process and organize International Round Table Conferences on Responsible Soy on a periodical basis.

At present, the RTRS’s main decision making body is the development of a set of Principles and Criteria for the production and sourcing of responsible soy. They will be the base of the norms that will form the standard that the association intends to promote.This standard will provide a market mechanism to address key negative environmental and social impacts of soy production and its expansion. It will also establish better management practices for the soy industry and its supply chain.