Due to the European Union?s (EU) demand for sustainably-grown soybeans, the Soy Export Sustainability LLC (SES) is rolling out a new program to appease the European requisitions. With the United Soybean Board and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) on their side, the SES has established the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol – Renewable Energy Directive, also known as SSAP-RED.
In lieu of the ongoing losses rippling through rural America via trade wars, USSEC Regional Director Brent Babb provided a glimpse into the newly developed U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol – Renewable Energy Directive, as it will open doors in the EU by abiding to the European’s RED program.
?It?s a voluntary program developed by the U.S. soybean industry to meet these requirements of RED. And it helps enhance the competitiveness of U.S. soybeans in the EU. Right now, Bunge elevators are certified to work in this program, and we?ve got it going in eight states so far, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. These are the main markets that ship to the EU export market,? said Babb.
United Soybean Board Director Bubba Simmons explained how farmers can take-up these opportunities.
?If you deliver soybeans in one of those states to Bunge, you can go on the website, ssap-red.org, and download the self-assessment form. It takes about five minutes to fill out and drop that off at the Bunge elevator and you are participating,? Simmons shared.
Faith and high recommendations for SSAP-RED were demonstrated by the United Soybean Board Director.
?We always find comfort when we respond to our customer. There are so many things that we can?t control, like the weather, the market, those things are out of our control, but we can listen to our customers and respond and give them what they want. It?s a painless process, it?s easy to do, it?s something that we all should come together and participate in,? said Simmons.
