RTRS sponsored SPACE 2024 in France
From September 17 to 19, 2024, the Global Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) was present at SPACE 2024, the leading event for livestock professionals in Rennes, France. This year, SPACE celebrated its 38th edition, with 1,210 exhibitors from 37 countries and 101,757 visitors.
RTRS, which shared a booth with GMP+ International and ALL4Feed, participated in SPACE to connect with attendees, exchange ideas, and promote its certification standards and responsible soy production.
Lieven Callewaert, President of RTRS stated: “The Association´s participation in SPACE 2024 was relevant to strengthen our commitment to sustainability in the soy supply chain. Another topic we discussed at the event was the Public Consultation that we extended until September 30 regarding the revised RTRS Chain of Custody Standard (moving towards V 3.0) and the new Optional Model IV: requirements for alignment with the EUDR Chain of Custody, designed to help companies comply with the due diligence requirements of the EUDR legislation.”
“Since 2021, we have been actively involved in the European Commission’s agenda, addressing new regulations such as the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) and other emerging directives, and we work with experts in the global soy supply chain to ensure that the RTRS certification system remains robust and credible; relevant to the sector and aligned with the regulatory landscape, contributing to an increasingly sustainable and transparent soy supply chain.”
Lieven also referred to the strategic collaboration with GMP+ International to boost the growth and distribution of responsible soy globally through the GMP+FRA modules. “The EUDR offers opportunities to expand this collaboration and work towards assured compliance with the revised RTRS Chain of Custody Standard (moving towards V 3.0) and the new Optional Model IV: requirements for alignment with the EUDR Chain of Custody, combined with Feed Safety Assurance audits, reducing costs and time.
This agreement allows companies certified under the GMP+ system to achieve equivalence with the RTRS Chain of Custody Standard, ensuring complete traceability of the soy used in their products, an essential component in the food supply chain.
Thanks to GMP+ International’s extensive network of international operations, this collaboration further enhances the distribution of RTRS certified soy, facilitating access to markets that prioritize sustainability and traceability in their supply chains.
With over 101,000 visitors, SPACE facilitated discussions on current challenges such as sustainability and international regulations, solidifying its role as a meeting place for producers and companies to find solutions that will enable them to face the future of food efficiently and sustainably, reaffirming the sector’s commitment to responsible growth.
