Creating a Better Future Together. Product Stewardship and Sustainability in Crop Protection

Transcription

1 Creating a Better Future Together Product Stewardship and Sustainability in Crop Protection

2 Our growing world Product Stewardship our contribution to sustainable agriculture We care As a leading crop protection company, we care passionately about agriculture, food, society, the environment, and our contribution to the world. By 2030, the world s population will have increased by 1.7 billion to over 8 billion, resulting in a growing need to produce more food and fiber on existing land.¹ The World Bank estimates that one hectare of land will need to feed five people in 2025.² This compares to the situation in 1960 when one hectare was sufficient to feed two people.³ The production and provision of sufficient and affordable food for this fast-growing world population calls for highly creative solutions that support sustainable agricultural practices while safeguarding both the environment and human health. 1 Source/Ref 2004: World Food Population prospects, UN Population division 2 Source/Ref 2006: FAO World Agriculture: Towards 2030/2050 Interim report 3 Source/Ref 2004:UN/FAO statistics We are all part of the solution What does Sustainable Agriculture mean? Our definition is simple. We are talking about farming solutions that maintain the right balance between economic success, environmental protection, and social responsibility. This is about enabling farmers to work in a responsible way, producing greater quantities of food, and generating sufficient income without causing damage to the environment. All of our efforts have a common purpose to support increased food production while protecting the world s precious natural resources. In a nutshell, this is about meeting the demands of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. We are committed We work to constantly improve our environmental protection, health, and safety performance. As a good corporate citizen, we go the extra mile to help farmers and others to use our products in a responsible way. We contribute to this through our Product Stewardship programs. Product Stewardship is a term that reflects our commitment to manage our crop protection products in an ethical and responsible way, from discovery and development, right through distribution, use, recycling, and final disposal.

3 4 5 Product Stewardship benefits everyone For consumers, it means the reassurance of eating affordable, healthy, and quality-assured food. For farmers it is about optimizing their yields, while developing and implementing cost-effective yet sustainable farming systems and practices. For our employees, it promotes a safe, healthy, and fair working environment, fosters cross-disciplinary cooperation, and instills pride in our Company s values, principles, and business ethics. For food manufacturers and retailers, it helps to address key consumer concerns relating to the perceived impact of crop protection products on food, water quality, and ethical trade. For shareholders, it helps to provide a sustainable return on investment. For everyone involved, it means the provision of quality products and services, the protection of the environment, and a positive contribution to local communities. Our principles To protect human health and the environment through the development of innovative products, technologies, and services. To promote and support the responsible use of our crop protection products, technologies, and services. To support the inclusion of crop protection products in sustainable agriculture worldwide. Our promise We are committed to sustainable agricultural development, living up to the highest standards in product stewardship. We adhere to the responsible and ethical management of all of our crop protection products through the entire life cycle from discovery, through to use, disposal, and beyond.

4 6 7 Sustainability is everyone s responsibility Product Stewardship means much more than just developing, manufacturing, and transporting a crop protection product; it continues beyond the farm gate. Protecting our world for the future calls for a fundamental change in mind-set. That is exactly why we foster personal responsibility. We encourage every single person involved in every stage of the life cycle of our crop protection products to make his or her individual contribution to sustainability. Product Stewardship is integrated into all of our crop protection business activities around the world, from research, manufacturing, storage, transportation, distribution, through to integrated pest management and the responsible use of our products at farm level, concluding in the recycling and disposal of empty containers. However, actions always speak louder than words! On the following pages you will discover what we actually do in practical terms. Manufacturing Integrated Pest Storage, Transportation, Management and Distribution Responsible Use Container Management Research and Development Product Stewardship is the responsible and ethical management of our crop protection products throughout the entire product life cycle. Disposal of Obsolete Stocks

5 8 9 Picture by World Vision We invest in the future We bring ideas to life We design safer products We discover new technologies and invent new and better ways of doing things. We are committed to developing products that are designed to target specific pests, weeds, or diseases only, while meeting or exceeding strict human and environmental safety standards, factoring in any short- and long-term impacts. Our new microencapsulation technology for products such as Fipronil and PROWL herbicide means safer handling for farmers as direct contact with the product is avoided. We help in the fight against malaria Each year, malaria causes over one million deaths, largely affecting young children in Africa. We promote the use of our INTERCEPTOR malaria nets as an effective way to combat the disease. Easy to use, the product in the net kills malariatransmitting mosquitoes for up to three years. The net is odorless, and survives up to twenty washes. As it does not need constant impregnation with the insecticide, unnecessary human exposure is avoided. In areas where these nets are used, independent studies show an up to 60 percent reduction in the number of malaria cases hospitalized. We foster new scientists in Japan For the last few years, we have supported a summer camp in Japan, where junior and high school students attend science lectures, hosted by Nobel Prizewinners, scientists, and business leaders. Supported by a number of groups including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, the Camp provides students with a fantastic opportunity to experience the scientific discovery process as well as the experience of meeting with top scientists and industry leaders to learn about the importance of innovations, chemistry, and sustainability. We hope that this program will inspire more young people to consider scientific careers at a time when the education of the next generation of scientists ensuring sustainable development is more important than ever.

6 10 11 We are dedicated to protecting precious natural resources Clean water right from the start Water is the source of life. We believe that we have an ethical responsibility to help in the fight against water scarcity and pollution. We contribute to water-use efficiency and protection by developing water-saving schemes and smart water management concepts at our global production sites. However, that is not all focusing on quality and safe use is also an important part of our environmental commitment. We participate in the chemical industry s Responsible Care program, which promotes best management practice in manufacturing, transporting, and handling of chemicals. An independent Quality Management System ensures the high quality, performance, and safe use of our products. This extends across everything we do, including the sourcing of raw materials, the manufacturing of active ingredients, as well as the transportation and warehousing of our products. We reach out to the community in Brazil We have teamed up with a broad range of partners from business and the scientific community to support Brazil s Mata Viva, an environmental education and reforestation program. The results speak for themselves. 500,000 native trees have been planted. A hundred technicians have been trained on how to identify and map affected areas, complete a diagnosis, and prepare a reforestation plan. Through theater and art, children are also being taught the importance of nature and recycling, using natural fibers to make crafts. This experience is more than just a fun extracurricular activity it is fostering a new generation of children who understand that sustainable agriculture and biodiversity can coexist in harmony. For the last four years, BASF has been recognized by the Exame Magazine in Brazil as the number one company in sustainability. We care about bees The safety of our products for plants and animals is very important. We pay particular attention to the protection of honeybees as they play a specific role in agriculture. Each of our products is safe, when applied according to the label instruction. We participate in joint initiatives to promote increased bee population.

7 12 13 We respond to your concerns about food quality We put food safety first As we work to bring new products to market, we place a huge emphasis on consumer safety, conforming to rigorous internal and external guidelines. Each product takes eight to ten years to develop. Before registration is granted, more than 800 specific tests of a product s environment and health impact must be conducted. This allows new products to be introduced in a safe, predictable manner, while providing consistent and clear guidance to national and international food safety authorities, farmers, distributors, and retailers. We offer advice to farmers in Spain Worldwide, consumers are increasingly concerned about how their food is produced. Together with one of Germany s leading retail groups, we source the best-quality strawberries in Huelva. As one project partner in a multidisciplinary team, our role is to develop the best crop protection strategies, supervise the cultivation process, and provide advice to the strawberry growers. The fruit produced is subject to independent quality testing and review.

8 14 15 We provide sustainable farming solutions When it comes to satisfying the world s ever-growing demand for food, sustainable farming practices are the right solution. It combines approved agricultural products, services, and techniques with solutions tailored for individual situations. This approach enables farmers to grow more food in a sustainable way. We help train farmers in India In India, we use a customized training tool Em@trix to provide easy-to-understand information on pests, diseases, and weed problems in crops, and to recommend the responsible use of crop protection solutions. As an active member of CropLife India, we support integrated pest management programs at farm level in Guntur, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Farmers learn how to check their plants for pests and beneficial insects before deciding to spray, and also to use non-chemical methods to control pests by growing trap crops as border crops. We enable farmers to grow more food in Africa In Africa, the parasitic weed Striga attacks maize and extracts precious water and nutrients. It is responsible for 20 to 80 percent of harvest losses, worth more than $1 billion a year, affecting the livelihoods of around 100 million people. In response, we designed StrigAway, an innovative herbicide seed solution, which is successfully used in combination with local maize varieties, allowing small farmers in Kenya to dramatically improve their yields. Solutions like this help to reduce poverty, improve food nutrition, and increase food safety and security. By ensuring the appropriate use of crop protection products we train farmers to grow more food and avoid crop losses. Crop protection products protect against pests, weeds, and diseases, not only during cultivation but also during storage, where crops are highly susceptible. Without crop protection products, food losses would be much higher. We foster biodiversity in the UK Since 2004, we have worked in partnership with a conventional grower on a farm in Rawcliff Bridge in the UK. One hectare near woodland is sown with a grass mix while two hectares nearby are sown with field margin mixtures all aimed at encouraging seed, insects, and ground-feeding birds, including some endangered bird species. Working closely with farming and wildlife groups, we use a bed and breakfast approach of providing nest boxes and food for birds. Some farming practices have also been slightly changed to minimize the impact to birds and their source of feed, particularly at nesting time. Importantly, we continue to find that commercial farming systems combined with sensible field margin and woodland management can deliver best practice biodiversity without impacting the commercial viability of the farm.

9 16 17 Closing the circle disposal and recycling We encourage safe handling We work to implement simple but effective practices such as triple rinsing to ensure that used containers are free from product residues. Farmers are also educated to return the rinse water back into their sprayers to conserve resources, and to help keep the ground and waterways clean. We work with governments and other partners in many countries around the world to support national container collection and disposal programs. We encourage safe methods of container disposal in line with nationally agreed standards. Correct container disposal minimizes the risk of accidental exposure, and recycling means less production of virgin plastics and an overall reduction in landfills. We support safe container disposal in China At Shiping in the Yunnan province in China, we support farmer training on appropriate container storage and disposal. An assessment conducted prior to training showed that many farmers were unaware of the risks and kept crop protection products in unlocked areas anywhere in the home. Likewise, many farmers were indiscriminately dumping containers in the field. This investment has yielded positive results. Posttraining, there was a 60 percent 1 reduction in dumping, and a massive 80 percent improvement in how products were stored. Importantly, those trained helped influence the behavior of their peers in the broader community. The benefits? More knowledgeable farmers and a cleaner, safer environment. We support clean farms in Canada As part of a CropLife Canada program, we were the first company to promote the CleanFARMS logo on our packaging to raise awareness of the importance of recycling used containers. Farmers across Canada participate in this voluntary scheme, resulting in the return of over 73 percent of all empty containers annually. The material is then shredded and recycled for use back on the farm. Since 1989, over 73 million 2 plastic containers have been collected at over 1,000 collection sites making Canada a world leader in container management. 1 Source: 2 Source:

10 18 19 Looking ahead We look to the future We have just shared some examples of how we help support Product Stewardship and sustainability in our crop protection division around the world. However, the journey does not end here. Much has been done, but there is more to do. For as long as there are farmers and communities tasked with feeding our world, we have an important role to play. We remain committed to Product Stewardship and sustainable agricultural development, living up to the highest standards. We will continue to support increased agricultural productivity, while protecting precious natural resources. You, too, can contribute to a better world. The best ideas are simple and easy to implement. You could, for example: plant a tree plant an herb and flower corner to encourage bees and other beneficial insects place a bird box to encourage wild life use a composter to recycle used food trap rain to water plants Together, we can make a difference!

11 BASF SE Crop Protection division Agricultural Center Limburgerhof Germany For further information, please contact: Public & Government Affairs Eva Erisgen, AP/K Phone: +49 (0) Copyright BASF SE All rights reserved. Revision 1. Printed January BASF, PROWL, INTERCEPTOR, and StrigAway are registered trademarks of BASF. The names of actual companies or products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.