Sugar Sector Sustainability

Partnership

In October 2013, the European beet growers (CIBE), sugar producers (CEFS) and trade unions of the food and agriculture sector (EFFAT) have formalised a landmark agreement to jointly highlight and report on representative Good Practices of sustainable production of beet sugar in the EU.

► THE AIM OF THE SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP

In line with the Europe 2020 strategy for a ‘smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive growth’ for the EU, the partnership agreement aims to highlight and facilitate further the dissemination good agricultural, industrial, social and environmental practices in the sector, while taking into account the relevant elements of economic sustainability providing stable and reliable beet sugar production in the EU. Through a common understanding of what constitutes sustainable production of beet sugar in Europe, the partners aim to:

1. Facilitate the access to and dissemination of knowledge regarding sustainable practices in the sector,

2. Help to consolidate sustainable practices in EU beet growing and processing,

3. Provide a platform for future dialogue in the field of sustainability with other sector stakeholders.

The partners will be working together, engaging in a constructive dialogue and exchange with third parties, while managing the overall process so as to deliver meaningful results for the sector.

► THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP

The partners have agreed to create a working platform, including a steering committee and three technical working groups, covering notably agriculture, industrial and social aspects of beet sugar production in Europe. In addition, partners intend to involve external expertise to provide independent advice for this partnership.

The partners will be working together, engaging in  a constructive dialogue and exchange with  other  stakeholders,  while  managing  the  overall  process  to  deliver  a  concrete outcome for the sector within the following timeline:

- A first draft of Good Practices in the sustainable production of beet sugar in the EU to be ready for consultation with relevant stakeholders of the beet sugar chain (by 2014)

- Outcome of the consultation to be incorporated into the first version of ‘Good Practices’ (end of 2014)

- A collaboration platform to be set up in order to disseminate and further exchange on ‘Good Practices’ (early 2015)