USSEC
Q. HOW DOES SSAP ADDRESS BIODIVERSITY, LAND USE, AND PROTECTED HABITATS AND HOW DO U. S. SOYBEAN FARMING PRACTICES SUPPORT THOSE CLAIMS IN PRACTICE?
» One of SSAP’ s core directives focuses on biodiversity and high carbon stock. Under the protocol, soybeans are not produced on wetlands, grasslands, forests or other designated protected areas. It also reflects the broader conservation framework U. S. farmers operate within, including long-standing USDA programmes and requirements tied to land use, soil erosion, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.
In practice, many U. S. soybean farmers are also making voluntary efforts to improve efficiency, protect natural resources and reduce their environmental impact. Since 1980, the U. S. soy industry has reported improvements in land use efficiency, soil erosion, energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions efficiency.
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Q. FOR A PROCUREMENT OFFICER TRYING TO MAKE SUSTAINABILITY CLAIMS“ BANKABLE”, WHAT DOES A SSAP CERTIFICATE PROVIDE THAT A SELF-DECLARED CLAIM DOES NOT, AND HOW CAN IT STRENGTHEN CONFIDENCE WITH AUDITORS, LENDERS AND INVESTORS?
» A self-declared claim tells the market what a company believes or intends. An SSAP certificate provides documentation tied to verified sustainable U. S. soy. It can identify the customer, product type and volume, and it can be used for sustainability reporting down the value chain.
80 August 2026