TRIBUNE / For responsible north-south supply chains

“Last June, the European Union adopted a regulation on “imported deforestation”. The aim is to ensure that our morning coffee or cocoa, the palm oil hidden in our ready-made meals, the soya that feeds our livestock have not contributed to the plague of tropical deforestation.

In today's food systems, the distance between the agricultural producer upstream in the supply chain and the end consumer has grown considerably.

Building responsible supply chains is a key to protecting ecosystems, combating rural poverty and ensuring the resilience of agricultural systems. The experience of pioneering companies shows just how interconnected environmental and socio-economic dimensions are. Synergies need to be found between companies whose purchasing strategies are subordinated to profitability constraints, and farming systems that often operate in precarious conditions exacerbated by climate change. Finding the right synergies requires method, resources and time.” [...]

READ THE TIBUNE on Les Echos website

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Authors :

• Julie Terzian, DEFI Programme Manager (Development and Innovative Sectors), Agrisud International
• Joël Lebreton, President, Agrisud International