China accepts Brazil’s environmental law for soybean imports
In Brazil, Datamar News reported that China will require Brazilian soybean suppliers to comply with Brazil’s environmental legislation before fulfilling its soybean imports, but no more than that. Chinese buyers had initially planned to adopt stricter standards modeled on Brazil’s Soy Moratorium, but abandoned the proposal after lobbying by the Mato Grosso Soybean and Corn Producers Association (Aprosoja MT).
Two years ago, Chinese buyers began developing sustainability rules for soybean imports from Brazil. The initial draft included much stricter requirements, such as zero deforestation and sustainability criteria aligned with those established under the Soy Moratorium, according to the report.
Since then, organizations including Aprosoja MT have worked to make the proposed rules more flexible. The protocol, originally scheduled for release during COP30 in Belém last November, was postponed because of disagreements over environmental assessment criteria and restrictions, it added.
At the time, the Chinese industry planned to adopt controls on soybeans linked to illegal deforestation that were criticized by Aprosoja MT, including blocking farmers’ taxpayer identification numbers (CPF) in cases involving precautionary administrative measures, as well as other requirements not provided for under Brazil’s Forest Code.
On July 1, the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA), which represents China’s food industry, unveiled the new protocol during the 17th China International Cereals and Oils Conference (CCOC17) in Shanghai.
Category: Food & Agriculture
