Future of sustainable protein at risk

17 October 2024

One of Australia’s most sustainable cropping industries believes its future is under threat due to an impending ban being proposed by the Australian Government.

The Australian soybean industry grows predominantly food grade soybeans for the Australian and Asian markets and has been highlighted as playing a key part in Australia’s role in feeding the world’s growing population through the provision of sustainable protein(1).

Soy Australia, the peak industry body for Australian grown soybeans, believes the Federal Government’s impending removal(2) of an important chemical used as a harvest aid for soybeans, could devastate the industry and hamper Australia’s ability to grow sustainable high protein food.

According to Soy Australia’s Chairman, Paul Fleming, an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) review plans to remove the use of diquat, better known as Reglone, as a desiccant in the near future(3).

“Reglone is a vital tool in the successful harvesting of edible quality soybeans,” said Mr Fleming. “Removing the use of Reglone as a crop desiccant threatens the ability of growers to produce soybeans for human use in Australia.”

Mr Fleming understands the APVMA review is based on European data, not Australian data.

“There is no evidence to suggest that Reglone has negative impacts on Australian wildlife when used to desiccate soybean crops,” said Mr Fleming.

“Australian farmers would like to see the APVMA using Australian research to make their assessments,” said Mr Fleming.

“If Australian data is not yet available, then the APVMA should provide more time for us to undertake this research before any drastic decisions are made,” said Mr Fleming.

“Soy Australia is calling on the Federal Agriculture Minister to extend the timeframe for the review of Diquat to allow our industry time to undertake the necessary research or explore a suitable replacement option for crop desiccation,” said Mr Fleming.

According to Soy Australia, the sustainability credentials of Australian grown soybeans are impressive, with over 60% of the Australian crop being rainfed.

“Most people don’t know that over 60% of Australia’s soybean industry is rainfed or that soybeans are one of the most effective nitrogen fixing legumes grown in Australia,” said Mr Fleming.

“In fact, Soy Australia believes soybeans are one of the most sustainable crops grown in Australia – returning enormous soil health benefits via nitrogen fixation, organic matter replenishment, soil structure improvement and breaking pest/disease cycles,” said Mr Fleming.

“The APVMA review of Diquat threatens the future of a sustainable crop like soybeans which is striving to feed Australians with high quality protein,” said Mr Fleming.

You can read more here: https://www.graincentral.com/news/pulse-soy-growers-fear-sustainability-loss-if-quats-banned/