Agroindustry Standards for Biodiversity Conservation

David Gibson

Chemonics International

Global consolidation of agrifood distribution channels is driving major changes in the way food is produced. Suppliers and consumers are increasingly requiring that agrifood value chains explicitly include attention to the improved management of social and environmental impacts. Beyond food safety, genetic modification, and phytosanitary concerns many agrifood value chain segments are requiring the incorporation of branded standards which help producers identify, reduce and document their impact on fragile or threatened ecosystems. Standards which include criteria for habitat and species conservation occur at the retail (e.g. BRC, IFS, Natural Choice etc.), producer/processor (e.g. EurepGAP, organics, ISO 14001), and commodity production (e.g. IFC/BMP) levels.

Most criteria for biodiversity conservation are typically targeted at the ecosystem level using a wide variety of indicators and verification parameters that include on-farm planning, broader land use management; agrochemical selection and management; water and energy use; and waste management practices. Conformity verification for such standards often relies on ISO-compliant management system and verification procedures that focus on internal control systems, personnel training and reporting effectiveness, and management commitment. Other systems are more results-based and rely more on actual product conformity. Few standards and verification schemes actually measure biodiversity impacts in a significant ways.

Although many markets are rewarding better farm management through premiums or market access, the proliferation of standards and costs associated with implementation and certification continue to represent significant obstacles to small farmers. Promulgating awareness, incentives and building local capacity to implement and audit to standards will be important to protect biodiversity through market-based standards.