International Oilseed Producers Dialogue on 14th & 15th June, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro

On the invitation of the Mato Grosso Soybean Growers Association (APROSOJA), this year’s International Oilseed Producers Dialogue (IOPD) took place on June 14&15, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro. The IOPD represents all major global oilseed producers’ associations. The European rapeseed growers were represented by their associations from France, the UK and Germany.

At this year’s 2-day Dialogue, the sustainability of the production of soybean, rape and palm oil was in focus more strongly than at former meetings of the representatives of oilseed producers. The European regulations of the directive on the use of energy from renewable sources effective from 2010 were received with particular interest. Details of the new requirements in raw material and biodiesel production in Germany, which must also be met by other EU member states and by external importers, were presented.

Attendees of the international Dialogue understood that there was still a large discrepancy in what the different producing countries understood sustainable raw material production was. For European producers, well-regulated agronomy and compliance with the regulations for protected areas are not new news and greenhouse gas emission reduction is added as another criterion. In contrast with this, ploughless soil tillage in connection with genetically modified seed is claimed to be sustainable in South America. Besides, producers from Mato Grosso and beyond, with reference to the massive production reserves, demand that their production for the international market should be expanded substantially and when talking of sustainability, cite the requirements in place for the protection of the rain forests.

In their final resolution, the IOPD members favoured the production of oilseeds and vegetable oil that is both sustainable and growing and which comprises both the use as food and feed and as inputs for materials and the conversion to energy.

The IOPD final resolution reads as follows:

 
Final Resolution
International Oilseed Producers Dialogue IOPD XII
June 15, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The undersigned participants of the IOPD from June 14-15, 20010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
adopt the following declaration:

IOPD members wish to develop and promote a sound industry business environment that will allow oilseed producers the opportunity for viable and profitable ongoing returns.

IOPD members support concluding a WTO agreement as soon as possible that results in both developed and developing countries substantially increasing market access, substantially reducing trade-distorting domestic support, and eliminating export subsidies and other trade distorting export practices.

IOPD members expect that the oilseed sector will be covered during the course of the negotiations, so that producers can benefit from a growing food and non-food market, resulting from progressing liberalization. IOPD members assume that successful negotiations will maintain profitable income for producers of oilseeds and protein plants.
IOPD members recognize the need to supply the world with increasing quantities of protein and vegetable oil. Toward that end, we support increased research and investment in the agriculture sectors of developing and developed countries.

IOPD members appreciate the progress achieved in the development of new areas of use for oilseed, vegetable oils and protein products, and support a sustainable development of environmental friendly products. IOPD welcomes the contribution of these areas of use and market stabilization.
IOPD members support timely, transparent, and science-based review and approval systems for all sustainable technologies, including biotechnology, of all oilseeds, vegetable oils and products. To avoid trade disruptions, IOPD members encourage the establishment of thresholds for the low level presence of biotechnology events in internationally traded commodities and products.
IOPD members endorse agricultural production systems that conserve and protect the environment while achieving the high levels of productivity necessary to meet increasing world wide demand, while maintaining producer profitability.

IOPD members are committed to sustainable agriculture production systems on suitable land for producing food, feed and non-food uses. Sustainable agriculture production systems will meet the needs of the present while improving the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by:

- Increasing productivity to meet all future needs while decreasing impacts on the
   environment.
- Improving access to safe food and feed and the production of fuel that improves
   air quality and reduces greenhouse gases.
- Improving the social and economic well being of agricultural producers and the global community.

Federation Francaise des Producteurs d’Oleagineux et de Proteagineux (FOP) – France
Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) – Germany
National Farmers Union (NFU) – United Kingdom
American Soybean Association (ASA) – United States
U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) – United States
Mato Grosso Soybean Growers Association (APROSOJA) – Brazil
Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) – Canada
American Palm Oil Council (APOC) – United States
United Soybean Board (USB) – United States
Camara Paraguaya de Exportadores de Cereales y Oleaginosas (CAPECO) – Paraguay

Download the FINAL RESOLUTION from June 14-15 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.