GROWERS at this year’s Ausveg National Convention were given an insight into the Bayer Sustainability Radar.
The radar maps the effectiveness of a company’s environmental protection, social responsibility and economic sustainability, as well as how each interacts with the other.
The creator of the radar, Christine Brunel-Ligneau, senior key relation manager of global food chain management for Bayer CropScience, spoke on the key aspects of enhancing sustainable farming.
She said many industries use the word “sustainability” loosely.
“However when it comes to the value chain, we all expect high standards of traceability, farming management and safety,” Ms Brunel-Ligneau said.
“At Bayer CropScience we understand these standards are continually improving.
“This is due to many factors, notably changes in farming practices as well as changes to the environment and in social expectations for food supply, nutrition and safety.”
Working with the Global Food Chain Management team at the Bayer CropScience headquarters in Germany, Ms Brunel-Ligneau supports the implementation of Food Chain Partnership projects worldwide by leading Key Relation Management relationships with major players such as Pepsico or METRO AG.
“With our Food Chain Partnership projects we actively support the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. We work with farmers, exporters, importers, food processors, and retailers on optimising crop solutions for the benefit of the whole community,” she said.
“Obviously this includes consumers who ultimately benefit from a wide range of high-quality foods which are the basis for healthy nutrition.”
She used Fresh Select as an example of an Australian company which had partnered with Bayer in 2013 to assess and improve its sustainability.