Benchmark Assessment between ProTerra European Interpretation (V2) and Sustainable Cereal and Oilseed (DTP 112 V6)

Introduction

ProTerra Foundation embraces mutual recognition of sustainability Standards and believes that synergies help reduce the costs of standard implementation and certification while reducing the audit burden. As such, ProTerra has developed a benchmark of the ProTerra Standard V5 (PT V5) from September 2023 against Sustainable Cereal and Oilseed (DTP 112) V6 from 18 November 2021 (the latest available version). This benchmarking also includes the ProTerra Standard European Interpretation (V2) or ProTerra Europa.

Results have shown adherence between ProTerra V5 and DTP. When applying the ProTerra European Interpretation, considering Italy (where DTP is used), a country classified as having no risk for GMOs (based on the Austrian Codex Alimentarius, IV edition) and low risk for environmental and social issues (based on the BSCI´s Country Risk Classification, latest publication), the number of indicators that apply is reduced.

As a result of this adherence, DTP112-certified food chain operators/actors can obtain ProTerra Europa recognition with reduced audit time and simpler assessment.

Background

The ProTerra Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability Standard (PT V5) applies to distinct levels of the food and feed supply chain (Level I – Agricultural production; Level II – Transport, Storage, Traders and Dealers, and Level III – Industrial Processing) and to any agricultural commodity. Its main objective is to foster good agricultural practices through a set of requirements; to ensure the supply of sustainably produced, fully traceable, non-GMO ingredients for food and feed; to protect the environment, and to promote that workers and communities are treated with dignity and respect.

The ProTerra Certification Standard is organised in principles, criteria, and indicators. These are the ProTerra Standard ten principles: 

PRINCIPLE 1: Management system, compliance with laws, international conventions and the ProTerra Standard 

PRINCIPLE 2: Human rights and responsible labour policies and practices 

PRINCIPLE 3: Responsible relations with workers and community 

PRINCIPLE 4: Biodiversity conservation, effective environmental management and environmental services 

PRINCIPLE 5: No use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) 

PRINCIPLE 6: Pollution and waste management 

PRINCIPLE 7: Water management 

PRINCIPLE 8: Greenhouse gases and energy management 

PRINCIPLE 9: Adoption of good agricultural practices 

PRINCIPLE 10: Traceability and Chain of Custody 

Organisations become ProTerra certified by demonstrating compliance with each of the applicable Standard’s principles, criteria and indicators applicable to their business. External third-party audits are carried out. 

ProTerra´s European Interpretation recognises that some practices around the world may exceed the general benchmark. ProTerra´s approach to addressing these differences is based on a risk assessment of the different European countries. The risk is based on both the potential presence of GMOs in a crop and the potential for negative environmental and social aspects of agricultural activity in a given European country. Based on the specific result, a set of ProTerra principles, criteria and indicators are selected against which these producers and/or farms will be assessed. Ultimately where there is a reduced level of risk the scrutiny will also be reduced.

Considering the scope of Sustainable Cereal and Oilseed (DTP 112 V6), the requirement of this standard stems from the desire to produce cereals, oilseeds and their derivatives according to the best-known practices to ensure fully sustainable products, and therefore presenting a series of technical requirements and legal compliance aspects. The standard applies to all types of cereal seeds and oilseeds and their derivatives/co-products throughout the supply chain.

As with ProTerra, DTP112 is certifiable by an independent third party.

Benchmark results

In the case of Italy, the applicable ProTerra requirements according to the European interpretation are Indicators 5.1.3 and 5.2.3 (related to GMOs); Criteria 9.4 (documentation of agricultural production); Criteria 9.6 Reduction of toxic and polluting materials; Criteria 9.7 Management of agrochemicals and chemical residues and all of Principles 1, 3, 4 and 10.

Key requirements for a DTP112 certified organisation to obtain PT Europa recognition include aspects related to: 

• Complaints and grievances, responsive actions, and outcomes documented;
• Maintaining and safeguarding native vegetation existing on farmland;
• Aerial spraying of pesticides;
• Clear rules to avoid double counting of certified material, and
• Inspection of conveyances used to transport certified material, among a few others.

The Table below details the full list of additional requirements, taking into account the ProTerra European interpretation.

For further information, please contact us at info@proterrafoundation.org