The American Soybean Association (ASA) is proud that the US Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) was positively benchmarked against the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation’s (FEFAC) Soy Sourcing Guidelines through the independent International Trade Centre (ITC) customized benchmark tool in early March.

ASA President Richard Wilkins, congratulated the US soy family on the accomplishment this week.

“This is another step forward for US soy and sustainability,” he said.

“The strong conservation practices of U.S. farmers allow us to produce large quantities and continue providing the EU with sustainable soy. The soy family should be proud of the work we’ve done to maintain and strengthen trade and the value of US soy.”

ASA worked with the UA Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and members of the US soy family to develop SSAP in 2013. The protocol helps to ensure that US soy is produced following a strong set of conservation regulations combined with wide adoption of best management practices.

The SSAP verifies that US Soy is sustainably produced and aims to meet growing consumer demand for environmentally, socially and economically produced commodities. The protocol covers four key components including sound environmental objectives, social responsibility, conservation focused management practices and continuous improvement.

This crop year, over 3 million metric tons, equivalent to 110.22 million bushels, of US Soy have been exported and certified under the SSAP program.