Current thinking on traceability in the global oils and fats market
Publicación:
Revista Palmas; Vol. 28 Núm. especial, (2007); 337-342
0121-2923
Revista Palmas; Vol. 28 Núm. especial, (2007); 337-342
0121-2923
Abstract
A fully traceable supply chain seems to be a very desirable proposition to some retailers and food manufacturers. Knowing exactly where the ingredients in the products they sell came from gives them the possibility to ensure that food standards are adequate and that the material came from a reputable source. Such knowledge enables potentially attractive marketing claims to made and consequently generates a possible competitive edge. Some argue that their CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy is their driving force behind traceability. Some argue that it is marketing led. Some (controversially) argue that marketing and CSR promotion is the same thing! The challenge for a commodity based industry like ours is to find solutions which address criticisms, encourage global best practice, do not inadvertently make the ecological footprint worse, and yet remain highly cost efficient. The presentation will cover some of the reasons for NGO pressure such as environmental damage, human rights violations and outline some of the approaches and activities that NGO?s have undertaken in recent times. Having understood the reasons for the demand for traceability, what can our industry offer and why is it important for us to take seriously? The presentation will cover some of the recent problems and issues in both soy and palm and then move on to discuss practical supply chain solutions which are currently being discussed in the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, which could meet the demands of all stakeholders. Una propuesta que pareciera bien interesante para los detallistas y productores de alimentos sería una cadena de suministro totalmente rastreable. El saber con exactitud de dónde provienen los ingredientes en el producto que venden les ofrece la posibilidad de asegurar los adecuados estándares de los alimentos y la fuente confiable del material. Esos conocimientos les permiten usar argumentos de mercadeo potencialmente atractivos y en consecuencia les generan una posible ventaja competitiva. Algunos han manifestado que su política de responsabilidad social corporativa es el impulso detrás de la rastreabilidad ("trazabilidad"). Otros han manifestado que esto realmente es liderado por el mercado. Otros incluso han sido más controversiales y han alegado que el mercado y la promoción de la responsabilidad social corporativa son la misma cosa. El desafío para una industria como la nuestra que se basa en un commodity es encontrar soluciones que resuelvan las críticas, que alienten la mejor práctica global, que no empeoren intencionalmente la huella ecológica y que aun así se mantenga eficaz en función de los costos. Esta presentación cubre algunas de las razones por las cuales las ONG ejercen ciertas presiones, tales como daños ambientales, violaciones a los derechos humanos y esboza algunos de los enfoques y actividades llevadas a cabo recientemente por las ONG. Después de haber entendido las razones para exigir la rastreabilidad, nos formulamos las siguientes preguntas: ¿qué puede ofrecer nuestra industria y por qué es importante tomar esto de manera seria? Esta presentación también cubre algunos problemas recientes tanto en el mercado de la soya como en el de palma y luego analiza las soluciones de la cadena de suministro, las cuales están siendo discutidas en la Mesa Redonda para la Sostenibilidad de la Palma de Aceite, lo que podría satisfacer las exigencias de todos los actores.
A fully traceable supply chain seems to be a very desirable proposition to some retailers and food manufacturers. Knowing exactly where the ingredients in the products they sell came from gives them the possibility to ensure that food standards are adequate and that the material came from a reputable source. Such knowledge enables potentially attractive marketing claims to made and consequently generates a possible competitive edge. Some argue that their CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy is their driving force behind traceability. Some argue that it is marketing led. Some (controversially) argue that marketing and CSR promotion is the same thing! The challenge for a commodity based industry like ours is to find solutions which address criticisms, encourage global best practice, do not inadvertently make the ecological footprint worse, and yet remain highly cost efficient. The presentation will cover some of the reasons for NGO pressure such as environmental damage, human rights violations and outline some of the approaches and activities that NGO?s have undertaken in recent times. Having understood the reasons for the demand for traceability, what can our industry offer and why is it important for us to take seriously? The presentation will cover some of the recent problems and issues in both soy and palm and then move on to discuss practical supply chain solutions which are currently being discussed in the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, which could meet the demands of all stakeholders.
Palabras clave:
aceites
grasas
aceite de palma
trazabilidad
cadenas productivas
desarrollo económico y social
comercialización
aceites
grasas
aceite de palma
trazabilidad
cadenas productivas
desarrollo económico y social
comercialización