BSI STANDARD DEVELOPMENT
The Better Sugarcane Initiative (BSI) is a collaboration of sugar retailers, investors, traders, producers and NGOs who are committed to sustainable sugar production by establishing principles and criteria that are applied in the sugarcane growing regions of the world.
The BSI is funded by members, among who are consumer companies (e.g. Tate & Lyle, Coca Cola, Cadbury Schweppes), commodity traders (e.g. ED & F Man, Cargill), NGOs (e.g. WWF, Solidaridad/Fairtrade), national and local producers (e.g. UNICA,EID Parry) and oil companies (e.g. Shell, BP).
Background to the BSI Standard
There is an increasingly wide acceptance of the fact that all agricultural and industrial enterprises need to operate in a manner in which not just the economic but also the social and environmental factors are promoted. At the same time energy use, production efficiency, elimination of wastage and the effect on global climate change all need to be considered.
The emphasis on sustainability is growing rapidly. The sugar industry has much to gain in being involved, because the natural advantages will surely position the industry more favorably as an agro-industrial industry contributing positively to the well being of all.
JUSTIFICATION
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Approximately 18 million hectares farmed with sugarcane |
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Bio Fuels production is currently 1.35 million barrels per day |
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2013 there will be 1.95 million barrels produced per day |
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World expansion of sugarcane is inevitable |
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In 10 years another 3 - 5 million hectares could be under sugarcane |
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The pressure for a system to certify that sustainable practices are being adhered to has come largely from the market place. A number of large corporate consumers of sugarcane want to be able to certify that sugarcane and other ingredients in their products are produced by means of sustainable practices. This initiative is most pronounced in the area of biofuels, where for instance the import of biofuels into Europe requires that these fuels are produced following sustainable practices. |
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However it is not only the consumers that are the driver for measuring sustainability. Society at large realizes the responsibility it has to the greater welfare of the planet. Many people and organizations see sustainable development as the most significant issue facing society today. |
TERMS OF REFERENCE
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Principles and Criteria are reasonable, appropriate, provide feedback and suggestions. |
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Identify E&S impacts, their scope and significance |
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Define ways of metrically measuring the key E&S impacts e.g. through the development of a cost effective set of indicators that will also demonstrate the result of improved practices. |
Propose a shortlist of optimal or ideal standards or measures in conformity with law and the BSI P&C
OBJECTIVE OF THE STANDARD
The main aim of the BSI Standard is to promote measureable standards in key environmental and social impacts of sugarcane production and primary processing while recognizing the need for economic viability.
The process that has been embarked upon requires the principles to be stated and the associated criteria, which are the conditions that need to be met to adhere to the principles, to be established. The Principles and Criteria for BSI have been drawn up, modified a few times and accepted by the Steering Committee. The headline Principles accepted are:
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Obey the Law |
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Respect human rights and labor standards |
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Manage input, production and processing efficiencies to enhance sustainability |
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Actively manage biodiversity and ecosystem services |
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Commit to continuous improvement in key areas of the business |
SCOPE OF THE WORK
BSI established three Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to identify standards or indicators that can be measured, which allow an assessment to be made of whether or not associated criteria are being met.
Expert groups cover the three areas of (1) social and labor issues, (2) processing/mill issues and (3) agronomic practices. The membership of the TWGs covers most of the important sugarcane producing areas and so many of the major players in the worldwide sugar industry are a part of the process.
A concern expressed by producers is that a need to meet standards will impose reporting and measurement demands which soak up manpower, time and money. For there to be buy-in by sugar producers, there must be some benefits in joining BSI and being prepared to adopt the BSI Principles, Criteria and Standards. These are likely to include:
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A means of self-assessment and performance improvement measurement. |
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A means of benchmarking against others. |
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A way of facilitating trade. |
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For industries already meeting the conditions, a leveling of the playing fields in terms of meeting environmental and labor related issues. |
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Management of risk and liability |
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Enhancement of brand image and reputation |
In the long run it is expected that conforming to such standards will save money, as inputs such as energy and raw material are used more efficiently, losses and wastage are minimized and manpower is used more productively.
The Standard has been developed in accordance with ISEAL’s Code of Good Practice. |
