Danube Soya, Vienna, 13. June 2014
Moldova‘s Agriculture Minister signs the Danube Soya declaration, as the twelfth state representative. This political acknowledgement is very important to Danube Soya. “According to our Guidelines, Moldova is ranked in the highest risk-level. Unsere Herkunftsländer sind in 4 Risikostufen eingeteilt, die höchste Stufe verlangt vermehrte Kontrollen, da Kontaminierungen mit Gentechnisch-veränderten Soja in diesen Ländern vermehrt Probleme darstellen.
Our countries of origin are divided into four risk levels; the highest level requires increased inspections because contamination with genetically modified soya in these countries creates several problems. By signing the declaration Moldova sends out a political signal to promote sustainable, regional and GMO-free soya” delightedly says Matthias Krön, Chairman of the Association.
Eleven agricultural ministers and state secretaries from the Danube Region have committed to the goals of Danube Soya. Austria, Germany (Bayern, Baden Württemberg), Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Switzerland, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland welcome an European protein supply through their signature. The Declaration defines the necessary schedule for the implementation of an ambitious cultivation program in the regions along the Danube. Being GM-free, traceability, regional cultivation and sustainable production are the main quality criteria of Danube Soya.
Potential of Soya Cultivation in Moldavia
With 60,000 hectares of soya, Republic of Moldova belongs to the major soya cultivation countries; its potential can be forecasted to 120,000 hectares in a long run. Especially arable land and lacking technological know-how lead to smaller production quantities. In Moldova alone 250,000 hectares of a total of 2.5 M hectares have not been cultivated. In the whole Danube Region 1.8 M hectares are arable land. “Until 2018 we can expect an expanse of the current acreage from 1 M hectares, to about 5 M hectares. Currently Europe is importing about 23 M tons of soya meal and 12.5 M tons of soya beans from overseas. Hence, a political commitment is essential for the whole Danube Region.” says Krön.
Especially Moldovan farmers are supposed to benefit from the project: for the harvest of 2013 the Association is launching different projects in the Danube Region. 6 Danube Soya Demonstration fields have been set up in Austria, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. With those fields trainings are planned, which will convey knowledge about the soya and its cultivation. Economically feasible best-practice examples will be introduced, ecologically sustainable production methods will be promoted and adapted to regional agronomical conditions. “We are planning to extend our existing cooperations and projects with farmers, institutes and producers in Moldova, “ explains Krön. „Through new supply chains and bigger distribution channels farmers as well as producers will profit.“ Furthermore Danube Soya is a political statement for the EU Accession – first steps towards an harmonization of Moldovian agriculture and EU agriculture policies can be taken.
Moldovan Soya will soon be certified
Cooperations are to be strengthened in a way that certified goods from Republic of Moldova can be soon obtained. In Europe the demand for GMO-free, regional and sustainable products is increasing, hence the topic of feed purchase comes to the foreground. Especially laying hens, broiler chicken and pigs are fed with significant amounts of soya: Austria alone requires 600,000 tons per year. REWE, Spar and Hofer, the major Austrian retailers and members of the Danube Soya Association, sell more than 350 M eggs per year. Since November 2013 they place an emphasize on regional feed: laying hens are fed exclusively with certified Danube Soya. 3,400 supermarkets offer Danube Soya eggs and thus contribute to the European agriculture and reduce CO2. When buying eggs with the “fed with Danube Soya logo” customers can be certain of buying a GMO-free and European product. Moldova's signing is another important step towards strengthening a GMO-free and import independent Europe and supporting regional and sustainable products.
About Danube Soya
Danube Soya is a non-profit, independent organization and represents one of Europa's most significant initiative in the agricultural sector. Danube Soya links civil society, politics and important businesses from all sections of the value added chain, reaching from GMO-free seed production to food of animal and vegetable origin. Danube Soya stands for GMO-free, origin-controlled quality soya from the Danube Region and incorporates about 150 members from all over Europe. The Danube Soya Association has made it its goal to improve the conditions for successful European protein cultivation and to minimize soya imports. The Danube Soya headquarter is located in Vienna, regional offices are currently set up in Novi Sad, Serbia and in Bucharest, Romania. Representatives are in Switzerland and Italy.
Further information about Danube Soya can be found on www.donausoja.org
