| Better Sugar Cane Initiative |
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Terrain NRM in partnership with the Mossman Central Milling Company, and Far North Queensland cane farmers are working with the Better Sugar Cane Initiative (BSI) to reduce environmental impact in the world of sugar and ethanol.
A minimum global standard for sugarcane production which covers social, agricultural and processing/milling aspects of production is about to be finalised by BSI. Cane farmers and millers who meet the standard will receive certificates relating to their sugar which can then be traded according to market forces. BSI accredited sugar will be the most sought after in the world and will have preference in the market place. The Wet Tropics cane industry has been working towards eco-accreditation in Mossman for some years now led by Dr Karen Vella of Terrain NRM. Eco-accreditation is seen by the local cane industry as providing tremendous opportunities, through market premium incentive payments, for the adoption of farm-scale BMPs - Better Management Practices. BSI plans to have accredited sugar available for sale by September 2010. Based on current management practices and preparedness for accreditation, the Wet Tropics could easily be one of the first to have accredited sugar available for sale; making it among the most sought after sugar in the world.
Find out more about the BSI standard: www.bettersugarcane.com. Additional information on the Better Sugar Cane Initiative: www.bettersugarcane.org. For further information please contact Dr Karen Vella on 0439716593 (Skype: karen.vella3) or Evelyne Lewiston 0432 106081 Downloads "The Better Sugarcane Standard - a triumph for market-led standard setting for sugarcane" - Powerpoint presentation, October 2009 Better Sugarcane Initiative Ltd. **warning large file over 3MB** |
BSI is a global multi-stakeholder non profit initiative dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of sugar cane production. Many of the biggest corporations in the world are involved including Shell, BP, Cadbury Schweppes, Bacardi Limited and Tate and Lyle. Terrain NRM is also a member. These major buyers and traders of sugar want to be able to say that they are buying sugar that is produced sustainably.
BSI Fact sheet