Deforestation and biodiversity

It is important to prevent deforestation and preserve biodiversity because of the many ecosystem services that depend on them, such as food supply, climate regulation and water purification. This not only threatens the climate but also has direct consequences for economies and communities. This is relevant to the Van Loon Group because the cultivation of plant-based raw materials for animal feed, such as soya and palm (oil), is often associated with deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

Our policy on deforestation and biodiversity focuses on the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems within the Van Loon Group’s value chain. The emphasis is on the responsible use of animal feed by livestock farmers within our own supply chains.

When using soya and palm oil in animal feed, we comply with the requirements of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In addition, we strive to protect and enhance biodiversity within our immediate sphere of influence. In doing so, we focus on promoting sustainable land use and preventing deforestation and other activities that could harm biodiversity.
 
To achieve these goals, we work closely with supply chain partners, such as livestock farmers and animal feed suppliers. We encourage livestock farmers to promote local biodiversity, for example by creating flower strips or by reducing the use of pesticides, antibiotics and excessive fertilisers. Furthermore, within our own supply chains, we require that soy and palm oil be 100% RTRS-, RSPO- or equivalent certified.

CSO

Within the VOB supply chain, pilot schemes have been launched using soya-free feed for fattening pigs. In addition, a project has been initiated to source soya that can be verified as coming from farmland where no deforestation has taken place over the past 20 years. This project has been made possible in part by an Impact Fund set up by one of our clients.

In the field of pest control, the transition to biological (non-chemical) control has been set in motion in pig farming. To this end, a project has been launched in collaboration with Agro Pest Control, co-funded by the Eindhoven Metropolitan Region. In 2025, the participating sites were selected and visited. Implementation of the measures is planned for 2026.

As the entry into force of the upcoming European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been postponed, the implementation of the measures has been delayed.

There has also been a local contribution to promoting biodiversity, including through an active contribution to a tree-planting day involving 25 employees from the Van Loon Group.

Next year, we will be implementing the use of sustainable soya in our VoB supply chain, in collaboration with our supply chain partners. 
 
In addition, within VoB we are working on the development of an integrated Nature & Environment module, which will enable us to systematically monitor and manage performance across these areas. 
The specific measures for biological (non-chemical) pest control will be implemented at five of our pig farms in 2026.
 
The measures consist of a combination of installing nesting boxes and perches for birds of prey, sowing sharp grasses and strongly scented native herbs to deter rats and mice, deploying scent posts with a repellent effect, and using mechanical traps with a striking pin and digital monitoring. This will further reduce the use of chemical pesticides (biocides, rodenticides).

The EUDR legislation is expected to come into force at the end of 2026. We are making the necessary preparations to ensure our processes and systems are ready for this.