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Social and environmental standards
Challenges on the global market
High demands on food safety and environmental and social conditions are generating substantial challenges for producers in developing countries – especially in areas dependent on just a few agricultural products (e.g. coffee, cocoa, cotton etc.). At the same time, consumers expect affordable prices, sustainable cultivation methods and high levels of quality. This all ratchets up the pressure on farmers still further. However, in the push for lower production costs, sustainability often gets left by the wayside. Ending this vicious circle requires a joint commitment to economic, social and ecological sustainability from everyone with a stake in the production chain. Codes of conduct and standards are examples of this kind of cooperation.
Shared standards offer a reference framework
When standards initiatives are rolled out, producers, the private sector and civil society map out a joint understanding of what sustainability means. They formulate voluntary codes of conduct and take responsibility for their implementation. This leads to improvements on an economic, social and ecological level in production and processing, which ultimately benefit the stakeholders the most. GIZ’s activities in the field of standards encompass organic farming, fair trade and social standards in agriculture, and sustainable coffee production.
Further information
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