SALSA

"Knowledge-based Sustainable vAlue-added food chains: innovative tooLs for monitoring ethical, environmental and Socio-economical impActs and implementing Eu-Latin America shared strategies"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'According to bilateral Eu-Latin America cooperation agreements, there is a mutual interest in developing strategies to tackle Latin American eco-challenges by promoting social cohesion, economic development, and improving food SMEs markets access. SALSA defines an integrated strategy for reducing negative socio-economic and environmental impact of soya bean and beef chains. The rationale is that these productions influence Latin America eco-challenges, reduction in food security and exclusion of SMEs and smaller farmers from market. SALSA belief is that sustainable competitiveness derives from multi-facet determinants that need to be jointly considered to reach a grass root development. The adoption of guidelines for sustainable agro-food productions is constrained by the lack of: i) technical and managerial solutions able to lower costs and cultural barriers for small farmers and SMEs; ii) research and training supporting new knowledge transfer among the food chain stakeholders and research institutions; iii) consumers and policy makers awareness. SALSA aims at developing monitoring tools based on a Life Cycle thinking approach suitable for integrating ethical, environmental and socio-economical impacts in one consistent model. SALSA provides sustainable solutions (strategies and processes) suitable to support farmers and SMEs relations within entire food chains. Shared benefits for end-users will derive from an increased efficiency of knowledge-based sustainable food production and management: fairer food chain relations, higher incomes, safer and better quality food, reduced environmental burden. SALSA added value relies on strengthening the EU- Latin America cooperation between leading institutions and industries; a joint EU-Latin America Industrial Platform will exploit the results. Guidelines will be produced for the benefits of food chain stakeholders and policy makers to improve food production sustainability and EU-Latin America trade relations.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU-funded project is defining an integrated strategy for reducing the negative socioeconomic and environmental impact of soybean and beef chains in Latin America. This is being done by promoting social cohesion, economic development and improving access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the local and export (EU) market.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Despite the EU's interest in developing strategies to tackle Latin American environmental problems, the process remains constrained. A lack of technical and managerial solutions, research and training support, and awareness from policymakers is leading to this setback.

The SALSA project aims at developing monitoring tools suitable for integrating ethical, environmental and socioeconomic impacts into one consistent model. A thorough assessment of all stakeholder and consumer needs has already resulted in a number of key accomplishments.

For example, a Standards and Regulations database on sustainable beef and soy production and trade, as well as an analytical framework, have been implemented. The SALSA approach potential for increasing awareness on the complexity of sustainability also emerged: e.g. better environmental performances for organic beef and soybean chains showed, on the other hand, strong limitations related to land consumption and smallholder difficulty in complying to organic certification. Not shying away from technology, the SALSA website and e-Platform have been developed, providing training and relevant knowledge transfer to all stakeholders and a user-friendly tool for sustainability assessment.

The project will ultimately give Latin America more competitive access to the global market for sustainable beef and soy production. Consumers will thus benefit from better access to sustainable food, and stakeholders will be provided with an improved knowledge base to support their decisions.