Companies promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in their
supply chains were recognised at a ceremony in Paris today, when the winners of the Union
for Ethical BioTrade’s Biodiversity Awards were announced.
The awards recognise companies in the food sector whose activities promote the
conservation of biodiversity as well as the equitable sharing of benefits throughout the
supply chain. As consumers grow more aware of biodiversity they become more demanding
about how the food sector sourced their natural ingredients.
For Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Executive Director for the Union for Ethical BioTrade, the awards
and its winners illustrate the importance of biodiversity to the food industry as well as
providing examples of how ethical sourcing practices can be put in place.
“The results from our consumer awareness study, the Biodiversity Barometer, show that 89%
of consumers want to know more about how the industry uses biodiversity. Only 39% are
confident that the food industry pays serious attention to ethical sourcing of biodiversity, and
an overwhelming majority say they would boycott a product or brand if it did not take good
care of the environment in its sourcing1. With the Biodiversity Awards we recognise
companies that pioneer sourcing practices in favour of biodiversity,” he said.
This year’s winners are Lotus Foods in the Leadership category and Guayapi in the
Innovation category.Lotus Foods works to bring traditional rice varieties to the US market to help ensure their
preservation. By creating a market for these varieties the company provides an incentive for
small-scale producers to continue to cultivate them, in the face of pressure to adopt the few
varieties that dominate the market. The company works with producers that use techniques
that help create a biodiversity friendly environment while saving precious resources such as
water.
“We are honoured to have been recognised by UEBT for our work to promote rice
biodiversity and change today's rice market for the better. This means healthier rice choices
for consumers and new income for marginalized farmers. In 2011 Lotus Foods launched
three popular local varieties from Cambodia, Madagascar and Indonesia, and a consumer
campaign in the US to make consumers aware of the environmentally-friendly "More Crop
per Drop™" growing practices,” said co-founder of Lotus Foods Ken Lee.
Guayapi works with the Sateré Mawé indigenous people from the Central Amazon rainforest
of Brazil. The Sateré Mawé discovered and still cultivate Warana (Guarana), which is sold as
a dietary supplement on the European market. Guayapi works directly with the General average. In addition, the communities use methods to cultivate the Warana that mimic the
original forest, helping to protect and restore forest biodiversity.
“For more than 20 years as a company and 16 years with the Sateré Mawé people, Guayapi
has worked using organic principles, high socio-economic standards and principles that
promote biodiversity restoration in order to valorise ancient knowledge and indigenous
traditions. That’s why we are honoured to receive this Biodiversity Award, which today is an
Innovation, but we hope, tomorrow will be a rule,” said Bastien Beaufort.
Two other companies were also recognised for their work on biodiversity. UEBT-member
PhytoTrade Africa was awarded a Special Mention in the Innovation category for its work in
bringing the baobab fruit to the European market in a number of innovative product forms.
Organic Farm Foods was recognised for its work in promoting new apple and pear varieties
that can be produced organically in the UK in addition to its focus in promoting the
relationship between ethical and organic practices.
The awards were chosen by a panel of judges including Amarjit Sahota from Organic
Monitor, Fiona Dowson from the Forum for the Future, Maria Cecilia Wey de Brito from WWF
Brazil and Dr Sélim Louafi from Cirad Montpellier (the centre of agricultural research for
development).
Representing the judges, Fiona Dowson highlighted what the wider food sector can learn
from these pioneering initiatives.
“There were some very interesting applications this year from leaders in the food industry,
illustrating that big players are increasingly – and rightly so - looking at sustainability and
biodiversity as important business issues. The panel selected this year’s winners as they
stood out for their strong focus on biodiversity and for taking fresh approaches. I hope they’ll
provide some inspiration to organisations of all sizes across the sector.”
Last year’s winners were Coop Switzerland and Unilever. For more information on the 2010
awards please click here. http://www.ethicalbiotrade.org/awards/2010.html
Contact:
The Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) is a non-profit association that promotes the
‘Sourcing with Respect’ of ingredients that come from biodiversity. Members commit to
gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity,
respect traditional knowledge and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the
supply chain.
For more information please contact:
The Union for Ethical BioTrade
32 Rue de Berne
1201 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel + 41 22 566 1585
Cell
+33 6 71 41 07 11
+41 78 7446578
info@ethicalbiotrade.org
www.ethicalbiotrade.org
