Unsustainable soy production has been one of the drivers of ecosystem loss, especially in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. After China, the EU is an important user of soy, mainly for animal feed. Europe-wide and global cooperation initiatives are seeking solutions to ecosystem conversion and human rights concerns in the soy value chains and landscapes. What are their insights and proposed solutions? At the same time, the EU is developing legislation on due diligence and deforestation, also for soy. Will this replace all voluntary measures, such as current certification and landscape programs, or will legislation be another tool? How to combine the best approaches, with sufficient attention to the agro-ecological aspects of soy production as well? A view on current opportunities by Heleen van den Hombergh (IUCN NL) and Ulises Martinez (Fundacion Vida Silvestre Argentina and Universidad de Buenos Aires), with space for IUCN members’ questions and insights during the session.
