On April 16, the National Agriculture Society (SNA) brought together 17 trade associations from the Chilean agricultural sector to explore the industry’s progress and challenges in sustainability.
The SNA’s President, Antonio Walker, underscored the need for a paradigm shift in Chilean agriculture, where the focus is not only placed on quantity, but also on quality and the production process itself. This approach demands safe, high-quality, and traceable products that are compatible with environmental conservation and the well-being of the communities and people involved in their production. When considering the social, environmental, and economic perspective of sustainability, it becomes an imperative for the sector.
The meeting was an opportunity for various trade associations to share their work in sustainability. Renzo Boccanegra, ChileCarne’s Head of Sustainability Projects, talked about progress in the pork and poultry sector, noting that: “We celebrate the 20+ years of commitment and work in favor of the environment and the relationship with communities, directly supporting companies in the continuous improvement of their operations and collecting critical data to build robust impact indicators for the sector.”
He continued: “Today, and going forward, we highlight our industry’s progress under the Chile Conscious Origin Program, developing robust sustainability standards validated by the authorities via Clean Production Agreements. We share the same diagnoses and trade associations must work together to communicate this progress to different stakeholders. Therefore, collaboration is key to reinforce a shared view for the future of Chilean agriculture.”
Additionally, Fruits from Chile announced their first sectoral sustainability report, while ChilePrunes noted the development of a sustainability standard for the prune industry, to set itself apart at the global level and meet the demands of consumers concerned about traceability and ESG standards.
In turn, Wines of Chile highlighted its “Sustainability Code for the Chilean Winemaking Sector” and Faenacar, the Chilean Meat Packers Association talked about its “La Reserva” project, a testament to the commitment of various sectors to regenerative and sustainable practices not only to preserve the environment and its resources, but also add value to products and strengthen the relationship with consumers.
In summary, the meeting organized by the SNA underscored the commitment of Chilean agriculture to sustainability and the search for a comprehensive approach to development that not only guarantees the production of quality food, but also contributes to the environment and the well-being of communities. This commitment to sustainability is not only an ethical imperative, but also an opportunity to showcase Chile as an eco-food powerhouse on the global stage.
