Deforestation and biodiversity

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

The deforestation and biodiversity policy is aimed at the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems within the value chain of Van Loon Group and its sites. The emphasis is on the use of animal feed by livestock farmers from within our own supply chains. 

Our goal is to have a fully traceable deforestation- and conversion-free supply chain in place by 30 December 2025, with a cut-off date of 31 December 2020. For beef, soy, and palm oil, we comply with the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

In addition, we aim to protect and promote biodiversity within our direct sphere of influence. The focus is on encouraging sustainable land use and preventing deforestation and other activities that pose a threat to biodiversity.

To achieve our goals, we work closely with supply chain partners such as livestock farmers and animal feed suppliers. We encourage our farmers to improve local biodiversity, for example by planting flower beds or reducing the use of pesticides, antibiotics, and excessive fertilisers. Within our own supply chains, it is required that all soy and palm oil must be 100% certified by RTRS/RSPO or an equivalent standard.

CSO

Since 1 January 2024, Varken Op z’n Best (VOB) pig feeds have been "palm-free". "Palm-free" means that all palm (kernel) oil and derived products - such as palm kernel expeller, fatty acids, stearin, and distillates—are excluded from the compound feed for finishing pigs. This is also part of the VOB certification, which includes independent verification to ensure that VOB pig farmers comply with this requirement.

The handbook for our Rund op z’n Best (ROB) supply chain was updated in 2024. It now includes the requirement that soy in animal feed must meet the standards for sustainable soy as outlined in GMP+, Mi5.6. Palm oil must comply with RSPO standards.

The eco-scheme introduced by the government in 2023 contributes to five goals:
improving climate, soil and air quality, water, landscape, and biodiversity. In 2024, 81 ROB cattle farmers held an ECO certificate, along with 25 VOB pig farmers.
Pests such as rats, mice, and flies are often controlled using biocides. Van Loon Group aims to increase pest prevention and control using natural materials and natural predators. An initial survey showed that around 70% of cattle farmers do not use biocides for mice, rats, or flies.

In 2025 we will continue the pilots with soy-free (meat) pig feeds together with our VOB feed partners. The aim is to use alternative raw materials as a replacement for soy, while maintaining technical performance and without increasing feed costs.

The blockchain system we introduced in 2024 for all our VOB pig farmers offers us gain insight into the origin of the raw materials used in animal feed. This allows us to better steer towards reduced use of materials that contribute to deforestation.

From 30 December 2025, the EUDR (European Deforestation Regulation) will come into effect. This regulation stipulates that only goods and products that do not cause deforestation or forest degradation may be placed on the market. Soy and beef are also covered by this legislation. In 2025, we will adapt our IT systems to comply with this regulation.

To promote the use of biological pest control, we will launch a new project in 2025. This project stimulates local biodiversity around farms, encouraging the presence of natural predators of flies, mice, and rats to keep pest populations in check. In addition to reducing the use of chemicals in the environment, this also helps to promote biodiversity.