24 25 Food Production PDF

This table shows a list of topics identified as relevant by different stakeholder groups.
They can be considered as stakeholders’ suggestions or requests

for topics to be monitored or disclosed by organizations.
Additional information about the project can be found at https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/sector-guidance/Topics-
Research/Pages/default.aspx
Food Production - Agricultural and Animal Source Food Production

69 Common Topics
24 - Food Production - Agricultural Production

13 Specific Topics
Producers of agricultural products. Includes crop growers, owners of plantations and companies that produce and process foods but do not
package and market them. Excludes companies classified as Forest Products and those that package and market food products.
25 - Food Production - Animal Source Food Production(1)

26 Specific Topics
Companies that raise livestock and other producers of meat. Companies that raise poultry and other producers of poultry products. Fishing
companies and companies that raise fish and other producers of fish products.
(1)
The name: Food Production –Meat, Poultry, Fish has been changed to the more generic Food Production –Animal source food production, to allow the inclusion of dairy and
other produce.
Sustainability Topics for Sectors: What do stakeholders want to know? May 2013
FOOD PRODUCTION - AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL SOURCE FOOD PRODUCTION Page 1 of 105
Topic
Sustainability
Topic Specification Explanation Reference(s)1 Constituency
Category
(if available)
Food Production - Agricultural and Animal Source Food Production – Common Topics
Economic Economic Agriculture natural resource management 463 Business
performance
* Economic (production figures and quality, value,
income, employment).
- Environmental ( Water use efficiency and productivity,

water quality, soil health, weed pest and land
management, fertiliser efficiency biodiversity trends,
greenhouse and carbon footprint, Pesticide use,
stewardship of GM crops)
- Social (education, employment, health and safety,

employment conditions, human rights of staff,
community attitudes, ownership, industry demographics,
compliance with legal statutes).
It is the environmental ones that need some adjustment.
1) Agriculture is the biggest industry in terms of its

spatial area on the planet.
2) It is also the largest user of natural resources (land and
water) and one of the largest users of human labour on
the planet.
3) There are millions farmers producing food and fibre.
Therefore, collectively these millions of farmers have a
significant impact on economies , the environment (soil,
water, biodiversity) and social fabric of communities
(human rights, labour conditions).
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
There are strong market drivers for sustainable food (&
fibre) production. The GRI indicators do not suit food (&
fibre) production, evidenced by a notable gap in farms
participating in GRI. Farms are very unlikely to report as
they are usually private companies and family owned.
However, most of the world's farmers belong to an
industry organisation or cooperative that represents
them regionally or nationally. Guidelines and
appropriate indicators should be produced so these
industry organisations can report on behalf of their
farmer stakeholders. eg xxx cotton growers associations,
xxx farmers’ federation, xx wheat producers, . Similar to
the NGO sector supplement, but with some more
relevant environmental indicators (farms are not like
factories).
(Note the food production activity - should be food and
fibre production. ie to include cotton and wool).
Financial Agriculture, Governmental support for agriculture, biofuels and food 207* Civil Society
assistance biofuels and production has important consequences across the Organization
received from food production global food value chain. This support can promote
governments responsible practices, economic development and
enhance public health, but it can also marginalize
smaller-scale producers and generate unintended
negative consequences for public health.
Indirect Local Supporting communities (Contribution to local, regional, 100, 246 Business
economic community state and national economies, use of local suppliers,
impacts community support and investment)
* How the company contributes to local, regional, state

and national economies
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
- How local suppliers are engaged and under what terms
- How the company supports local community
development
- Social and environmental investment programs in local
communities of operation
Dairy is Australia's third largest rural industry and a

major regional employer, on-farms and also through
processing, manufacturing and distribution of finished
products. A number of rural communities depend heavily
on the sector's prosperity. The decline in the number of
farms in these regions has significant ripple effect on the
local economies.
Local Supporting communities (Contribution to local, regional, 100, 246 Business
employment state and national economies, use of local suppliers,
community support and investment)
* How the company contributes to local, regional, state

and national economies
- How local suppliers are engaged and under what terms
- How the company supports local community
development
- Social and environmental investment programs in local
communities of operation
Dairy is Australia's third largest rural industry and a

major regional employer, on-farms and also through
processing, manufacturing and distribution of finished
products. A number of rural communities depend heavily
on the sector's prosperity. The decline in the number of
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
farms in these regions has significant ripple effect on the
local economies.
Socio-economic Biomass and This Principle speaks to the need for sustainable 92 Civil Society
benefits bioenergy distribution of socio-economic benefits to the various Organization
production participants in biomass and bioenergy production
systems systems. A sustainable commercial model benefits from
the support of wealth creation in local communities.
An integrated resource management plan will address

the environmental risks associated with current and
future production, appropriate to the scale and intensity
of the operation
Impact The scientifically accurate measurement, in a globally 195 Financial
assessment at comparable manner, of sustainability effects and impacts Markets &
community and at the farm and community level. Information
farm level Users
specific indicators of social, environmental and economic
metrics that clearly demonstrate scientifically sound
capture and analysis as well as consensus on the type of
indicator that adequately reflects on of these topics
improves management practices

permits smarter investment or policy
avoids greenwashing
facilitates consumer faith
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Environmental Materials Products from Deforestation and forest degradation, which account for 106, 194 Civil Society
sourcing and responsibly 10-15% of global carbon emissions, are primarily driven Organization
use managed land by 4 commodities: timber, palm oil, soy and cattle
to avoid products. Companies who produce or buy these products
deforestation may be contributing to deforestation and need to have
and forest policies in place to manage potential risks and
degradation opportunities.
Risk assessment of whether the company buys or

produces any of these commodities, directly or through
their supply chains.
Company policies (if any) on sourcing or production of
the commodities, eg only buying certified products,
being able to trace back to source.
Targets for production/procurement of certified
commodities - quantity/percentage and year of target.
Deforestation accounts for almost the same carbon

emissions as the entire world's transport sector and is a
major driver of biodiversity loss. There is also evidence
that it contributes to fluctuations in rainfall patterns.
Given increasing population and change in diets towards
meat, the problems of environmental damage and food
security are likely to increase sharply over the coming
years.
Land use change from forests and peatlands to

agriculture results in significant carbon emissions and
other environmental damage as well as often causing
social problems around free, prior and informed consent
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
and livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. Over
1 billion of the world's poorest people depend on forests
for their survival but the financial rewards from replacing
forests with agriculture are driving rapid deforestation in
areas such as Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia. There are
opportunities for companies to improve their agricultural
efficiency through certification and 'smart' agriculture
while reducing environmental impacts of their
businesses.
Supplier The following factors, among others, may contribute to 207* Civil Society
production of increased material risk and could be used by the Organization
raw materials in reporting organization in the materiality assessment of
environmentally its supply chain.
sensitive and/or The suppliers’ raw material is:
conflict-affected • Produced in an area of resource constraint
areas • Produced in a region of high conservation value
• Produced in an area of social, political or economic
vulnerability (DMA)
Energy Energy Increasing energy efficiency through the value chain. 59 Business
efficiency of consumption Decreasing energy consumption
operations management
and reduction - Energy use by source
'- Initiatives to reduce direct and indirect energy
consumption
'- The use of energy saving technologies in Dairy Sheds
'- Exploration of alternative energy sources (ie. wind,
solar)
Energy prices will rise significantly over the medium to

long term. The Dairy sector faces a significant challenge
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
in reducing energy consumption further to minimise the
impact of price increases.
Dairy shed electricity costs have increased over the past

five years on average. In the five-year period shed power
has increased by 22 percent. (Dept. of Primary Industries
website)
Water use Technology and The judicious management of water resources will play a 536 Mediating
efficiency infrastructure key role in improving food security and sustainable Institution
agriculture
Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all

withdrawn fresh water. Thus, the judicious management
of water resources, from irrigation to industrial and
consumer use, will play a key role in improving food
security and sustainable agriculture. Moving from flood
irrigation, which can waste large amounts of water, to
more targeted and efficient forms of irrigation will be
important.
Water A sustainable agriculture system meets the following 536 Mediating
consumption criteria: land tenure is established; soil fertility is Institution
and pollution maintained and improved; water quality is enhanced;
reduction biodiversity is protected; farmers, farm workers, and all
other actors in the agriculture supply chains earn livable
incomes; food is affordable and nutritious; businesses
can be competitive and efficient; and the use of energy
and the discharge of waste are within the capacity of the
earth to absorb forever
Sustainable agriculture, as it pertains to business, is
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
defined by how a business organization conducts its
direct or indirect operations in a way that is resource
efficient, strengthens the resource base and
environment on which agriculture depends, provides for
basic human food needs, enhances the quality of life for
farmers and society, and is economically viable.
Sustainable agriculture systems, if properly
implemented, can lead to poverty reduction, increased
food security, and good environmental stewardship on a
global level. It can create shared value (food security,
environmental sustainability and economic opportunity)
for companies and the communities in which they work.
When sustainable agriculture systems produce enough
nutritious food to feed the world, and that food is
accessible to the world’s population, particularly the
poorest, food security will follow.
Water Sustainable water management referring to efficient 399 Financial
consumption practices to minimise water use for agriculture. Markets &
management Information
and reduction Water use practices. Total water consumption and water Users
intensity.
Over a billion people currently have no access to clean

drinking water. Although water covers more than two-
thirds of the Earth’s surface, the vast majority of this is
salt water. Only around 0.5 per cent of the world’s total
water resources is available to people as fresh water in
the form of groundwater or surface water. And 70 per
cent of this is consumed by agriculture. For this reason,
the agricultural sector has a particular responsibility
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
here. In view of the fact that drinking water is set to
become even scarcer, due in part to the growing world
population and the consequences of climate change, a
committed approach in this area is vital.
- All material issues referred to in this document refer to

all four industry activity groups working on food,
including retailing (No. 22-25).
Agriculture natural resource management 463 Business




Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
the planet.
3)There are millions farmers producing food and fibre.

particpating in GRI. Farms are very unlikely to report as
factories).
Water Risks and Water (in m3) used per amount (e.g. in tonnes) of 153 Financial
withdrawal impacts on fresh product manufactures Markets &
water Groundwater consumption in m3 Information
availability Users
Access to suitable water supply (quantity and quality) 354 Business
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
* Water consumption and needs
- Impacted water sources
- Activities to reduce consumption and/or reliance on
potable water sources
- Water efficiency
- Coping with water restrictions
- Future challenges
The dairy industry is heavily reliant upon water

availability with dairy farming in Australia, accounting for
one third of land under irrigation. For the 66-month
period ending in May 2007, 23.1% of Australia was in the
lowest rainfall decile. Much of the Murray–Darling Basin
continued to suffer from severe drought on this longer
time-scale (Braganza, 2008). The level of rainfall had a
significant impact on the dairy industry in terms of water
availability for pasture irrigation, dairy herd consumption
and other related uses. Climate variability and changing
land use patterns (i.e. increased plantations near farms,
urbanisation), along with emerging policy in Australia has
caused uncertainty in the dairy farm sector regarding the
ongoing security of water supply. Access to water is
highly dependent upon regulation and price.
- The periodic drought events that impact Australia’s

agriculture sector are expected to become more severe.
- The amended Murray Darling Basin Plan will still likely
result in a 30% reduction in water diversions for
agriculture, after accounting for the Commonwealth’s
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
assumed infrastructure savings, driving up the cost of
water borne by farmers.
Within this context of ever-decreasing supplies of clean, 62 Mediating
freshwater, the challenge for the Food and Agriculture Institution
industry in the next three to five years will be ensuring
access to needed water while optimizing water
management objectives to avoid conflict with other
water users.
The Food and Agriculture industry is one of the largest

users of freshwater in the world. In the U.S., agricultural
water represents 81 percent of all water consumed in
the nation, much of which comes from groundwater
sources. The cumulative depletion of groundwater in the
U.S. spread out over the surface of the oceans would be
equivalent to about a 1.3mm rise in sea level.
Sustainable water management referring to efficient 399 Financial
practices to minimise water use for agriculture. Markets &
Information
Water use practices. Total water consumption and water Users
intensity.
Over a billion people currently have no access to clean

drinking water. Although water covers more than two-
thirds of the Earth’s surface, the vast majority of this is
salt water. Only around 0.5 per cent of the world’s total
water resources is available to people as fresh water in
the form of groundwater or surface water. And 70 per
cent of this is consumed by agriculture. For this reason,
the agricultural sector has a particular responsibility
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
here. In view of the fact that drinking water is set to
become even scarcer, due in part to the growing world
population and the consequences of climate change, a
committed approach in this area is vital.

KPI 14 Water Abstraction 109 Mediating
Institution
Definition
Water is an essential resource that is required for a
healthy environment and is used in the production and
provision of numerous goods and services, such as
electricity. In the UK approximately a third of drinking
water is abstracted from groundwater, whilst the
remainder comes from surface water.
Abstraction of water can have significant local, or more
widespread, impacts on the environment. The threat of
climate change, resulting in severe droughts, floods and
storms, also constitutes a challenge for water resources
management. Countries around the world are aware of
the need to use water resources more efficiently and
reduce waste in order to ensure availability of the
resource in the long term. To achieve this goal various
market and financial instruments have been put in place,
such as abstraction charges, effluent consents and
pricing mechanisms.
Processes
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Water can be abstracted for public water supply to
produce drinking water following treatment. It can also
be abstracted directly for use by businesses for a wide
variety of uses including irrigation and for industrial
processes (e.g. coolant, carrier or solvent purposes).
Sectors
Water is abstracted by various companies including
water and sewerage companies, industrial and chemical
companies, and power companies. Many sectors rely
heavily on supplied water, although this impact should
be reported as a supply chain impact and not a direct
KPI. For more information please refer to Figure 4 and to
the section on supply chains (Section 4.5).
Calculation or measurement procedures

For abstracted water, the majority of charges are levied
according to the licensed volume, but actual volumes
abstracted are reported to the Environment Agency. It is
the actual volumes abstracted that should be measured.
Reporting guidance
The table overleaf illustrates the scope of measures that
should be reported. In most cases reporting will be much
simpler, as most companies focus on a specific type of
abstraction.
The most appropriate way of reporting abstracted water
should be in cubic metres.
If an estimation method has been used this should also
be reported. Compliance with any abstraction consents,
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
such as those provided by the Environment Agency in the
UK, should also be reported. Companies should also
discuss whether water has been re-used or returned to
source (e.g. cooling water). Direct abstraction should be
reported as the volume taken, not the licensed volume.
Water use
It is important to distinguish water abstraction from the
use of supplied water.
The environmental impacts associated with supplied
water use are indirect and more guidance on how these
can be reported can be found in section 4.5 – Supply
Chains.
The judicious management of water resources will play a 536 Mediating
key role in improving food security and sustainable Institution
agriculture
Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all

withdrawn fresh water. Thus, the judicious management
of water resources, from irrigation to industrial and
consumer use, will play a key role in improving food
security and sustainable agriculture. Moving from flood
irrigation, which can waste large amounts of water, to
more targeted and efficient forms of irrigation will be
important.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Water The environmental impacts of Food Production are huge, 479 Business
consumption and demographic growth is putting an ever-growing
and strain on limited earth resources, mainly land and water.
management in Water scarcity, already impacting food commodity prices
water scarce (example of rice production in Australia in 2008), is
areas expected to affect a vast majority of countries in the
coming decades. This is a significant issue for companies
in this sector as 70% of the water used globally is for
agriculture (almost 90% in some developing countries).
Biodiversity Soil biodiversity Conservation measures for soil biodiversity include: Plant 148 Business
management cover supports soil protection and biodiversity,
and protection - Mulching
- Conservation tillage / no tillage
- Location specific tillage
- Adequate crop rotation
- Appropriate use of fertilisers and pesticides
- Protection of landscape elements
Soil biodiversity is one of the richest, most complex

biological communities on earth - it is home to a larger
share of biodiversity and genetic diversity than tropical
forests. The mites, lice and bacteria that inhabit the
world beneath our feet are vital for maintaining balanced
ecosystems and agricultural production - quite simply,
we could not live without them.. The primary role of soil
biota is to recycle organic matter that is derived from the
“above-ground plant-based food web”.
Soil is in close cooperation with the wider biosphere - the

maintenance of fertile soil is “one of the most vital
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
ecological services the living world performs”; the
“mineral and organic contents of soil must be
replenished constantly as plants consume soil elements
and pass them up the food chain” (Baskin, 1997).
The correlation of soil and biodiversity can be observed

spatially – for example, both natural and agricultural
vegetation boundaries correspond closely to soil
boundaries, even at continental and global scales (Young
& Young, 2001). Some problems which can happen if
efforts aren't made to preserve soil biodiversity are: Soil
acidification, Soil structure decline, Soil sodicity, Soil
salinisation, and Soil erosion.
Protecting the natural environment including, 54, 441 Business
biodiversity, effluents and waste, managing erosion and
salinity.
- Strategies and programs to manage negative impacts

on biodiversity
- Strategies and programs to manage effluent run-off
(soil and river health)
- Recycling initiatives and re-use of solid materials (inc.
packaging)
- Strategies and programs to reduce so
The dairy industry is a major agricultural exporting and

food processing industry in Australia. Dairy production is
one of the more energy, water and fertiliser-intensive
land uses, and is associated with negative environmental
impacts. Impacts occur right along the value chain. How
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
these impacts are managed will affect the ongoing
sustainability and viability of the industry.
As dairying becomes more intensive, ecological impacts

could potentially become more severe.
The conservation of biological diversity is a critical 92 Civil Society
component of sustainability at the field/stand level as Organization
well as at the landscape level.

of the operation
A sustainable agriculture system meets the following 536 Mediating
criteria: land tenure is established; soil fertility is Institution
maintained and improved; water quality is enhanced;
biodiversity is protected; farmers, farm workers, and all

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Investments in ecosystems and biodiversity 153 Financial
Markets &
Information
Users
Soil Farming Poor farming practices leave soil vulnerable to be swept 536 Mediating
management practices away by wind and rain. Better farming practices can halt Institution
and even reverse the process of soil degradation. At the
same time, farmers need to use existing farmland more
efficiently and investors need to make responsible
agricultural investments. Sustainable farming solutions
include not tilling the land, crop rotations, bringing
vegetation back to degraded land and planting
vegetation around fields to prevent erosion.
Farming Risks of erosion are largely attributed to the: continued 415 Mediating
practices - Soil cultivation of fragile and marginal soils; overgrazing of Institution
erosion pasture, especially in hilly areas; and poor uptake of soil
conservation practices. In some regions erosion is
aggravated by the increasing incidence and severity of
droughts and/or heavy rainfall events, and in some
countries land clearing. The reduction in agricultural
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
land susceptible to moderate to severe risk of erosion is
mainly linked to the growing uptake of soil conservation
practices, such as the adoption of reduced or no tillage,
and the conversion of agricultural land to forestry.
Estimates show that the costs of soil erosion damage can

be considerable. On-farm costs correspond essentially to
the agricultural production foregone as a result of soil
degradation lowering crop productivity. Off-farm costs,
resulting from off-farm sediment flows, include: extra
expense to treat drinking water; costs of dredging rivers,
lakes and reservoirs; damage to roads and buildings; and
harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems, including
recreational and commercial fishing
Soil Soils are vulnerable to carbon losses through 530 Mediating
conservation degradation. They also release greenhouse gases to the Institution
and carbon atmosphere as a result of accelerated decomposition due
stock to land use change or unsustainable land management
practices. Soil carbon stocks are highly vulnerable to
human activities. They decrease significantly (and often
rapidly) in response to changes in land cover and land
use such as deforestation, urban development and
increased tillage, and as a result of unsustainable
agricultural and forestry practices. Soil carbon losses are
an important form of degradation that can result in loss
of productivity and of the ability to provide other
ecosystem service
Soil fertility Soil stability is vital, and that soil fertility and organic 92 Civil Society
matter are critical to the sustainable production of food, Organization
feed, fiber, and fuel
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

of the operation

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)




the planet.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

factories).
Soil fertility and Inputs of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are 415, 534 Mediating
nutrient balance important in farming systems as they are critical in Institution
raising crop and forage productivity, and a nutrient
deficiency can impair soil fertility and crop yields.
A buildup of surplus nutrients in excess of immediate

crop and forage needs, however, can lead to nutrient
losses representing not only a possible cause of
economic inefficiency in nutrient use by farmers, but
especially a source of potential harm to the environment.
This can occur in terms of water pollution (e.g.
eutrophication of surface water caused by nutrient
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
runoff and groundwater pollution by leaching), and air
pollution, notably ammonia, as well as greenhouse gas
emissions. An additional environmental issue concerns
the sustainability of phosphorus resources, as world
reserves are diminishing (Johnston and Steén, 1997).
Agricultural Monoculture Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, which produce food 399, 413 Financial
farming and beverages in an environmentally sustainable and Markets &
practices animal-friendly way. Information
Users
supplier standards and monitoring
- health and nutrition issues of products
- natural products
- nanotechnology
- food safety management system
- animal testing
- agriculture approaches
- livestock farming and fisheries
- agricultural genetic engineering
Several unsustainable practices, such as the

industrialisation of food production, deforestation,
monoculture, intensive use of artificial fertilisers and
pesticides, agricultural genetic engineering, inhumane
methods of husbandry and slaughtering and overfishing
of the oceans are wide-spread in food and beverages
industry. These areas often lack comprehensive,
ambitious and binding standards and programmes
applying to all raw materials. To ensure food supply for
the growing population in an environmentally
sustainable, socially fair and animal-friendly way, the
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
companies must put effort into developing and
implementing sustainable practices.

'- Some implemented labels and certification systems,
such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label,
certification by the Rainforest Alliance, industry-wide
initiative Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
refer to more sustainable agricultural or fishing practices.
Deforestation Expansion of Expanding frontier of plantations and industrial 220, 229 Civil Society
plantations and agricultural production into natural rainforests (Intact Organization
industrial Forest Landscapes). Unchecked large-scale expansion of
agricultural the industrial agricultural production could lead to
production environmental devastation, and precipitate social and
frontier economic havoc
Some acquisitions put forests, ecosystems and the

climate at risk, and threaten the livelihood of the people
depending on the land.
Seed quality High-quality seed is a pre-requisite to achieve maximum 419 Mediating
standards outputs and good returns for farmers. In many countries Institution
crop production and seed trade are also important
sources of rural employment and foreign income. Seed
quality can be described as the overall value of the seed,
resulting from genetic characteristics and from all other
factors affecting the development, maturation and
storability of the seed.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
World population will increase from 6.9 billion in 2010 to
9.3 billion people in 2050; and agriculture will play a
fundamental role in meeting the world’s growing
demand for food, feed and fibre. In order to feed the
world population in 2050, agricultural production will
have to almost double, and most of the incremental
output will have to come from increases in yields (FAO,
2009). High-quality seed is a pre-requisite to achieve
maximum outputs and good returns for farmers
Emissions to air Agricultural Climate change referring to the emissions of greenhouse 399 Financial
- GHG emissions practices, gases through agricultural practices, transport of goods Markets &
transport, and cooling systems. Information
manufacturing Users
and packaging * environmental performance indicators (e.g. energy
consumption, greenhouse gas emissions)
- climate change strategy
'- greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and action
plans
'- strategy, measures and targets for transport
The influence which the food industry has on climate

change, through the cultivation of crops and the
breeding of livestock as well as processing, packaging
and transportation, is huge. In addition, agricultural
production releases an enormous quantity of
greenhouse gases. In turn, climate change poses a major
business risk for the sector: the predicted global warming
and the extreme weather phenomena, such as drought,
floods and storms, expected to result from it will alter
the world’s fauna and flora and make it more difficult to
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
obtain agricultural raw materials in future.

- The transportation and processing of foodstuffs are
responsible for 80 per cent of the sector’s entire energy
consumption. In addition, livestock farming alone, via
methane emissions, is responsible for 18 per cent of the
greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans globally. It
is an entirely realistic scenario that due to climate change
there will be shortages of raw materials.
Dealing with energy challenges (reducing energy 479 Business
consumption and related CO2 emissions) remains the
environmental issue which gets most attention from the
companies in our
coverage. Through its sourcing, processing and
transportation, the food industry – comprising both
agribusinesses, food manufacturers and packagers –
accounts for around a third of
global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agriculture
accounts for half of these 30%. The sector itself is also
one of the most affected by climate upheaval and is
periodically affected
by extreme climate events (droughts, floods).

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)


the planet.

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
factories).
Total CO2 emissions in million tonnes 153 Financial
Markets &
Information
Users
Emissions to air Agricultural Climate change including both contribution to climate 180, 238 Business
- GHG emissions practices, use of change through greenhouse gas emissions and exposure
and other machinery and to climate variability and physical impacts (water
emissions crop production availability, temperatures changes and severe weather
events)
* GHG emissions by source (pre-farm, on-farm,

manufacturing and retail)
- Strategies and programs to reduce emissions (methane
and nitrous oxide) through the value chain (ie. changes
to animal diet and nutrient management)
- Negative impacts to productivity and profitability as a
result of climate variability
- Adaptation and mitigation strategies, programs and
performance
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Agriculture (inc. Dairy) is viewed as a significant
contributor to Australia's GHG emissions. In turn, it is
significantly exposed to the negative impacts of climate
variability. Agriculture accounts for about 17% of
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and the Dairy
Industry contributes about 2% of total national
emissions. (Dairy Australia website) However, in addition
to the greenhouse gas emissions counted as ‘on-farm’,
the industry emits further emissions through farm inputs
via use of machinery, fertilisers and chemicals which
aren't allocated to the sector. The productivity of
livestock industries will be influenced by the changes in
the quantity and quality of available pasture through
climate variability, as well as by the effects of
temperature increases on livestock and severe weather
events such as floods, droughts and fires.
Government carbon tax costs have an impact on energy

use on farms and in manufacturing. Climate variability is
likely to impact on:
- Adaptability & sustainability of proven production
systems
- Increased complexity and need for long term resilience
of business
- Increased competition for irrigation water
- Volatility of feed input supply and costs
- Uncertainty of policy settings affecting resource access
and emissions
Emissions come from three main sources: · Direct 62 Mediating
emissions, including use of fossil fuels in farm operations Institution
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
and enteric fermentation from livestock; · Indirect use of
embodied energy in inputs, particularly those that are
energy-intensive to produce, such as fertilizers;·
Cultivation of soils resulting in the loss of soil organic
matter.
The Food and Agriculture industry is responsible for

about 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions,
with particularly high contributions from the potent
gasses, nitrous oxide and methane.
Total CO2, NOx, SOx, VOC emissions in million tonnes 153 Financial
Markets &
Information
Users
Food waste Minimization and management of food waste. 386 Business
management
Total amount of food waste generated and breakdown of
disposal (i.e. donation to feed hungry people, animal
feed, waste-to-energy, compost/land application, or
landfill)
Food waste is an issue that has earned global attention,

with nearly 40 percent of all food never being consumed.
It has social implications (global hunger, child hunger)
and environmental implications (organic wastes creating
GHGs in landfills).
Waste Recycling and Protecting the natural environment including, 54, 441 Business
management reuse of solid biodiversity, effluents and waste, managing erosion and
materials salinity.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
on biodiversity
packaging)


Waste Scope I: Total waste in tonnes 153 Financial
Waste Scope II: Percentage of total waste which is Markets &
recycled Information
Users
Water pollution Water discharge Protecting the natural environment including, 54, 441 Business
and effluent biodiversity, effluents and waste, managing erosion and
run-off salinity.

on biodiversity
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
packaging)


Water pollutants from agriculture include runoff and 421 Mediating
leaching into water systems from nutrients, pesticides, Institution
soil sediments, and other contaminants (e.g. veterinary
products).
Clean water is vital in securing economic benefits for

agriculture and other sectors, meeting human health
needs, maintaining viable ecosystems, and providing
societal benefits, such as the recreational, visual
amenity, and cultural values society attaches to water
systems.
The vast extent of agricultural activities around the world 434 Mediating
contributes significantly to both economic productivity Institution
and water-pollutant loads. Since the 1970s, there has
been growing concern over the increases in nitrogen,
phosphorus, and pesticide runoff into surface and
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
groundwater. Intensive cultivation and growing
concentrations of “factory” livestock or aquaculture
operations have also long been known to produce large
non-point source contributions of pollutants to surface
and groundwater pollution. Beyond nitrate
contamination, agricultural activities are also linked to
the salinization of surface water, eutrophication (excess
nutrients), pesticides in runoff, and altered erosion and
sedimentation patterns.
The quality of water is central to all of the roles that

water plays in life. Safe water plays an essential role in
drinking water and health – good water quality is
fundamental to the network of life and livelihood that
water supports. Water is the source of life on earth, and
human civilizations blossomed where there was reliable
and clean freshwater. Use of water by humans – for
drinking, washing, and recreation – requires water free
from biological, chemical, and physical sources of
contamination. Plants, animals, and the habitats that
support biological diversity also need clean water. Water
of a certain quality is needed to grow food, to power
cities, and to run industries.
Social Labor conditions Human capital Investing in dairy people (Skills & training, labour 246, 484 Business
development welfare, preparedness for emerging practices, adaptive
technologies)
* Education and training opportunities provided

- Career pathways
- Fostering innovation
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
- Strategies for attraction and retention of staff
With increasing scale of operations, an increasing

amount of milk in Australia will be produced on larger
scale farms requiring more skilled employees, compared
with the more traditional model of family labour only.
There is a growing concern about the availability and
skills level of labour and an increasing demand for higher
levels of farm management skills, with large farms better
able to split operations into specific areas eg milk
harvesting, herd health and nutrition, pasture and feed
production etc. This will require more management and
production supervisory skills and staff. If farms fail to
provide workplaces that are attractive, rewarding and
efficient, their ability to achieve sustained business
success will be severely limited. Sourcing the people and
skills the industry needs to grow is a key issue.
Continual improvement of the skill base of the farm

workforce is essential if the dairy industry is to increase
its productivity, profitability and competitiveness in
national and international markets. International market
volatility, industry consolidation and new technological
advances are key trends driving changes to the structure
of the dairy industry workforce and its skill development
needs.
Migrant workers Human Trafficking in persons, or human trafficking, involves the 249 Mediating
trafficking risks recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or Institution
receipt of a person (a woman, man or a child), often over
international borders but also frequently within the
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
boundaries of a single country, for the purpose of
exploitation. It is a widespread abuse, affecting
developing countries, countries in transition and
industrialized market economies alike. The majority of
victims of human trafficking are between the ages of 18
and 24, with most having received a job offer prior to
their departure
Safe labour migration is a key driver of sustainable 254, 437 Mediating
economic development in both sending and receiving Institution
countries. The protection of migrant workers is becoming
an increasingly important issue for a number of global
industries, as well as for home and host governments.
Trafficking of workers, particularly women and girls, into
global supply chains remains a significant reality, in part
due to poorly regulated recruitment industries. Pockets
of good and innovative practice in responsible
recruitment and combating trafficking exist but have yet
to be taken to scale.
Over 215 million international migrants living outside

their countries of origin play a vital role in the global
economy. Recorded remittances received by developing
countries, estimated to be US$325 billion in 2010, far
exceed the volume of official aid flows and constitute
more than 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in
many developing countries. The vast majority of migrants
today are low-paid workers in industries ranging from
apparel, electronics and construction to agriculture,
hospitality, and domestic service. From the point of
recruitment, through employment and to the point of
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
return home, these workers are vulnerable to
exploitation. Protection mechanisms to safeguard their
rights continue to be wholly inadequate and access to
legal remedy is poor in both host and home countries.
Labor and Accurate statistics are hard to find given the number of 62 Mediating
working illegal migrants that are involved in the agricultural Institution
conditions sector, but in many developed countries migrant workers
account for a significant share of the workforces in
agricultural production and processing. Agricultural
production has always been, a source of and destination
for many migrants, and thus the socioeconomic impact
of migration has always been strong on the agricultural
sector and in rural communities. Three key issues that
companies should pay attention to are: (1) difficulties in
providing adequate health care, (2) poor working
conditions, and (3) lack of clarity and cohesion in public
policies regarding migrants.
International migration within the agricultural sector has

some of the same impacts as rural to urban migration on
the “sending communities”, but a critical difference is
remittances. The impact of international migration on
receiving farming communities is extensive and cuts
across the full range of economic, social, cultural, and
political issues. Most obvious is the positive benefit of
having a qualified workforce to produce agricultural
goods and services either for domestic consumption or
export. In some countries international migrants make
up a large proportion of the agricultural workforce and
the production of farm goods would be extremely
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
difficult, if not impossible, without them. Migrant farm
workers also purchase goods and services in the local
community and thereby provide support to local
economies. On the challenging side, migrant populations
often have difficulty assimilating into local
communities, and their presence can cause social and
political disruptions and thus difficulties for agricultural
producers.
Occupational Accurate statistics are hard to find given the number of 62 Mediating
health and illegal migrants that are involved in the agricultural Institution
safety sector, but in many developed countries migrant workers
account for a significant share of the workforces in
agricultural production and processing. Agricultural
production has always been, a source of and destination
for many migrants, and thus the socioeconomic impact
of migration has always been strong on the agricultural
sector and in rural communities. Three key issues that
companies should pay attention to are: (1) difficulties in
providing adequate health care, (2) poor working
conditions, and (3) lack of clarity and cohesion in public
policies regarding migrants.
International migration within the agricultural sector has

some of the same impacts as rural to urban migration on
the “sending communities”, but a critical difference is
remittances. The impact of international migration on
receiving farming communities is extensive and cuts
across the full range of economic, social, cultural, and
political issues. Most obvious is the positive benefit of
having a qualified workforce to produce agricultural
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
goods and services either for domestic consumption or
export. In some countries international migrants make
up a large proportion of the agricultural workforce and
the production of farm goods would be extremely
difficult, if not impossible, without them. Migrant farm
workers also purchase goods and services in the local
community and thereby provide support to local
economies. On the challenging side, migrant populations
often have difficulty assimilating into local
communities, and their presence can cause social and
political disruptions and thus difficulties for agricultural
producers.
Recruitment Recruitment and employment of migrant workers 253 Mediating
and Institution
employment Number of migrant workers employed
Countries of origin
Gender of workers
Positions within company
Length of contracts
Recruitment channels
Any fees for recruitment
Passport retention
Migrant workers both internal and external are a

significant and growing feature of all company activities.
There are over 200 million migrants in the world. They
are found within nearly all business sectors and across all
regions. Many migrant workers, particularly those
working in unskilled jobs are subject to discrimination
and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
For many migrants exploitation begins during

recruitment. Exorbitant fees and other charges, often at
usurious rates of interest can leave many migrant
workers effectively bonded labour whatever the
subsequent conditions of employment.
Company due diligence and reporting should therefore
extend into the supply chain for labour.
Occupational Education and Employee safety 351, 472 Business
health and training on
safety health and Employee health and safety trainings at farm and
management safety issues processors. What programs and activities in place to
inform and train employees about health and safety,
available in their native language.
Dairy farm employees work with large life animals that

need to be handled with care so that employee and
animals don't get injured. Large animals could kick or
squeeze employees. Particular care is needed for
handling bulls. Also, dairy employees on the farm as well
as in processing plants work with large equipment and
machines.
Investing in dairy people (Skills & training, labour 246, 484 Business
welfare, preparedness for emerging practices, adaptive
technologies)
* Education and training opportunities provided

- Career pathways
- Fostering innovation
- Strategies for attraction and retention of staff
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
With increasing scale of operations, an increasing
amount of milk in Australia will be produced on larger
scale farms requiring more skilled employees, compared
with the more traditional model of family labour only.
There is a growing concern about the availability and
skills level of labour and an increasing demand for higher
levels of farm management skills, with large farms better
able to split operations into specific areas eg milk
harvesting, herd health and nutrition, pasture and feed
production etc. This will require more management and
production supervisory skills and staff. If farms fail to
provide workplaces that are attractive, rewarding and
efficient, their ability to achieve sustained business
success will be severely limited. Sourcing the people and
skills the industry needs to grow is a key issue.
Continual improvement of the skill base of the farm

workforce is essential if the dairy industry is to increase
its productivity, profitability and competitiveness in
national and international markets. International market
volatility, industry consolidation and new technological
advances are key trends driving changes to the structure
of the dairy industry workforce and its skill development
needs.
Occupational Chemical Agricultural pesticides contribute to raising agricultural 415 Mediating
health and fertilizer, productivity but also pose potential risks to human Institution
safety risks herbicide and health and the environment. Data refer to active
pesticide use ingredients of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and
other pesticides including plant growth regulators and
rodenticides.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
The risks vary greatly depending on pesticide’s inherent

toxicity (or hazard) and exposure. Exposure depends on a
number of variables, such as the application method, the
weather after application, its environmental mobility and
persistence, and proximity to water courses.
Acute and chronic pesticide poisoning among agriculture 529 Mediating
and plantation workers. Institution
Corruption Administrative As evident around the globe, where land governance is 510 Civil Society
stewardship of deficient, high levels of corruption often flourish. Weak Organization
land land governance tends to be characterised by low levels
of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Under such a system, land distribution is unequal, tenure
is insecure, and natural resources are poorly managed.
As a consequence, social stability, investment, broad-
based economic growth and sustainable development
are undermined.
Unprecedented pressures on land have been created as

new areas are cultivated, taken over by expanding urban
centres or are abandoned due to degradation, climate
change and conflict. These developments have strained
the rules, processes and institutions that determine
which land resources are used, by whom, for how long
and under what conditions.
Child labor Child labour - incidents and actions to address root 304 Mediating
causes of child labour Institution
HR6 Reporting on incidents and actions taken after
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
incidents.
Reporting on actions taken to address root causes of
child labour in relevant communities.
Companies exposed to direct or indirect child labour risks

should clearly define not only the policies related to child
labour risks but also the incident management processes
and how they are addressing the root causes of child
labour to eliminate child labour.
Violation of children's rights: articles 3, 28 and 31.
Indigenous Adherence to The Rights of Indigenous People requires active 80, 181 Civil Society
peoples rights international management & engagement due to societal, legal & Organization
agreements financial impacts of companies operating in extractive
(e.g. Equator industries.
Principles and
Free Prior and The GRI should solicit companies’ policies and practices
Informed on the question of Free Prior and Informed Consent
Consent (FPIC) (FPIC) by asking if company explicitly recognizes or
of Indigenous references the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Peoples) Indigenous Peoples or the ILO Conventions 107 and 169.
Reporting should go beyond compliance violations to
explicitly address reporters’ proactive strategies to
address their impact on Indigenous communities
(particularly with respect to cultural heritage) and how
well companies are equipped to anticipate, forestall and
mitigate negative impacts. Report on operations where
indigenous communities are affected by activities (where
FPIC applies), where specific engagement strategies are
in place, number of projects that have failed FPIC review
processes, and any projects that were preempted or
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
discontinued due to that failure. Report on measurement
and tracking of indicators of Indigenous Peoples’
community well-being, (e.g. life expectancy, substance
abuse, domestic violence, native language literacy, and
intensity of cultural practices) before during and after
project. Disclose what materials and training the
company provides to its employees pertaining to the
rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Land grabs of traditional lands and territories is one a

major problems faced by Indigenous Peoples globally.
With the increased value of commodity crops land grabs
by forestry and agriculture companies is on the rise.
Commercial fishing competes with Indigenous
populations for a resource that is increasingly scarce due
to overfishing and mismanagement. LEGAL: The UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (IP) and
with the expectation that these rights will be adopted
both nationally and internationally as legal standards,
corporations should be thinking from the highest levels
about how they are incorporating these specific human
rights into their management structure. FINANCIAL:
While there are some examples of successful FPIC, there
are many more where a company's operations have been
shut down, projects delayed or in some cases forcibly
abandoned due to blockades, legal actions or permit
appeals. REPUTATIONAL: Companies that ignore the
rights of local communities and/or respond to protests
through the employment of private security forces are
highly exposed to human rights violations, and face
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
reputational risks that can lead to lost revenue or
destruction of shareholder value.
Any company involved in forestry, agriculture or fishing

on the lands of Indigenous People will have an impact. It
is the company's responsibility to ensure that the impact
is positive. Potential negative impacts include but are no
limited to forced displacement, competition for
resources, contamination of resources, division of local
tribes, and loss of cultural heritage sites. Risks include
not only operational (financial) but reputational. FPIC
provides the opportunity for companies to operate on
Indigenous Peoples' land in a manner that respects their
right to self-determination, provides equitable economic
benefits, and serves to preempt multiple financial, legal,
regulatory and reputational risks. Opportunities exist for
economic partnerships that not only provide
communities with an equitable stake in company
success, but can serve to increase efficiency and
profitability of operations through application of
Indigenous Peoples' unique expertise of their territories.
Land use rights Risks and The right to access the land is not restricted by a narrow 255 Mediating
conflicts with interpretation of property rights. The rights‐holders have Institution
local human rights, which may not include land‐ownership
communities rights, partly because some countries do not recognize
and indigenous individual property rights, and partly because some
peoples people may not have legal title to the land on which they
live or work, but may have customarily done so for years,
if not generations. That aspect has huge significance for
the landless and other rights are also involved. It affects
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
those with land rights, and those who work on the land,
such as sharecroppers, and those who use land
seasonally, such as pastoralists or informal businesses
common in many parts of Africa. These groups often
correlate with those that are already the most vulnerable
groups in society (e.g. due to gender, caste or age
discrimination). Their not owning property rights does
not mean they do not have rights –
The impact on human rights is felt much before business

operations begin – even when a company expresses its
intention to develop a project in a particular area, there
are human rights implications, because of raised
expectations within a community. The power asymmetry
between State and communities, between private
economic interests and individuals or groups, often
becomes the determining factor in shaping the land
ownership dilemma. Business, civil society, and
governments have a common interest in developing a
framework that prevents human rights abuses at all
stages of business’ relationship with land – before
acquisition, during acquisition, and after operations have
commenced and, if necessary, concerning appropriate
relocation, rehabilitation and compensation. The
extraction of natural resources – oil, gas, and mining –
has commanded considerable attention in the area of
business and human rights, but other businesses –
tourism, manufacturing, infrastructure projects, power
plants, public highways, irrigation projects, and even
urban office complexes and supermarkets require land.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Consumer Industrial Recent food scandals such as mad cow disease have 479 Business
health and farming entrenched supply chain safety issues at the heart of
safety risks practices consumer choice. The current model of industrial
farming practices is being
called into question; in particular, the widespread use of
antibiotics in livestock farming has been publicised
widely as a health issue. Other concerns include food
additives, chemicals
such as pesticides used in agriculture, and plastic
packaging containing endocrinal heckler. Public views on
GMOs have also thus far prevented widespread use in
Europe.
Agricultural Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, which produce food 399, 413 Financial
standards and and beverages in an environmentally sustainable and Markets &
certification animal-friendly way. Information
Users
- natural products
- nanotechnology
- animal testing

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

Sustainable, Organic & Fair Trade Products 153 Financial
Markets &
Percentage of total revenue from products with organic Information
origin certified by a member of the International Users
Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
standards
Percentage of total revenue from products certified and

stamped as Fair Trade by an affiliate or partner
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
organization of Fair Trade Labelling Organizations
International (FLO)
Percentage of fish certified according to recognized

certification schemes for sustainable fishing (MSC –
Marine Stewardship Council)
Standards and certifications have evolved to be a tool to 62 Mediating
enable trust, by providing Traceability and Transparency. Institution
As food becomes a ready means for consumers to
practice their own form of responsibility and
sustainability, these attributes grow in complexity and
can include dimensions of social and environmental
performance. For companies, this makes delivering on
trust increasingly complex and demanding.
Trust is the foundation and the goal in the global Food

and Agriculture business today. Today and increasingly in
the future, safety is part of a growing portfolio of
attributes consumers and stakeholders throughout the
value chain expect from Food and Agriculture
companies.
Product labeling Nutritional Maximising health and nutrition. Provide valued 27, 100 Business
information of nutritional products that contribute to good community
product health outcomes.
* Nutritional information of products

- Labelling and transparency requirements on products.
Consumers are becoming more conscience of their

health and allergies are becoming more prevalent.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Negative health perceptions about dairy products
(primarily around fat content) can have a considerable
impact on dairy consumption. The dairy industry needs
to develop the capability to influence the policy debate,
and provide a strong, defendable scientific position on
dairy nutrition issues.
More stringent requirements for product labelling,

ingredients, etc.
Agricultural Product safety - Safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from 422 Mediating
genetic Assessment of genetically engineered crops Institution
engineering (GE) foods and feeds
from GE crops The development of such a data base indicates the value
of having information for safety assessments
Web pages: Product Database currently includes 158

entries of transgenic crops and flowers from 14 species.
Products are listed with unique identifiers, and the
information includes common/scientific names of the
host organism and introduced genes, the events and
traits, the regulatory elements and relevant links
regarding approvals for release and use in countries.
Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, which produce food 399, 413 Financial
and beverages in an environmentally sustainable and Markets &
animal-friendly way. Information
Users
- natural products
- nanotechnology
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
- animal testing


Gene Modified Organisms 153 Financial
Markets &
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Share of products containing genetically modified Information
organisms or ingredients containing genetically modified Users
organisms in %
Food product Ensuring quality and safety of products (Product safety, 99 Business
quality and control of pathogens, origin and type of purchased inputs
safety such as fertilisers, feedstock, traceability)
management
systems * Description of processes and programs in-place (both
regulatory and non-regulatory) to manage process
hazards, product safety and integrity.
- Adverse outcomes of audits (including product recalls)
and subsequent action (i.e. changes to manufacturing or
audit processes).
Product integrity is critical to image and reputation. Any

issues of non-compliance would result in negative
impacts for the whole value chain because consumers do
not necessarily distinguish between retailers,
manufacturers and farmers.
The Australian dairy industry has developed stringent

quality management systems that are underpinned by
comprehensive regulatory requirements. Customer
needs, food safety and product traceability are
paramount for the quality systems but other factors such
as animal welfare, bio-security and environmental
sustainability are also important considerations in the
development of the quality management programs. The
industry works collaboratively with federal and state
government regulatory agencies and service suppliers to
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
ensure a preventative approach to food safety across the
integrated supply chain.
Food security Arable acreage Demand/supply imbalance. We expect continued strong 97 Business
and productivity demand for agricultural produce over the next 5 years on
the back of population growth, greater calorie and
protein consumption and the biofuel industry. To match
the demand we need to see enhanced growth in arable
acreage and improved productivity
Nutritional Public health issues referring to nutrition 399, 592 Financial
quality of food Markets &
Product ranges: inclusion of healthier foods and Information
modification of relevant product (e.g. by eliminating Users
transfats and gradually reducing salt and sugar content).
Product development. Marketing activities and
advertising guidelines. Consumer information on
ingredients and nutritional values.
Diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and

cardiovascular disorders are increasingly referred to as
lifestyle diseases. Morbid obesity, in particular, is now
classified as an epidemic. According to estimates from
the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than a
billion people are now overweight, and at least 300
million of these are morbidly obese.

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

Governments, civil society and the private sector will 536 Mediating
have to work together to address three challenges of Institution
malnutrition – undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency
and overnutrition – by reshaping the food and
agriculture system to focus on not merely increasing
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
production globally, but increasing the nutritional quality
of food and access to it by the poorest families.
Malnutrition is the number one health risk worldwide.

Vitamin A, iodine, folic acid, iron and zinc deficiencies
weaken bodies and hinder economic development. In
addition, another 1 billion people suffer from being
overweight and obese (overnutrition).
Product quality Assessment and Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, 192 Business
and safety screening of preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent
management animal foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines
systems ingredients that should be followed to avoid potentially severe
health hazards. Food can transmit disease from person
to person as well as serve as a growth medium for
bacteria that can cause food poison
Ensuring food safety would entail the assessment of

animal ingredients and screening them for salmonella,
viruses and prions which can affect the health of animals
and public health.
Hygienic The hygiene of food of animal origin is applicable to all 145 Business
conditions for food and all food operators right through the food chain
food processing "from farm to fork". They include effective instruments
of animal origin to manage food safety and any food crises throughout
the food chain. Edible animal fats are processed to edible
fats like lard (pig fat) or tallow (beef fat) and to edible
greaves the proteinaceous by products of the fat melting.
Both Regulations are a key action component of the

Commission strategy to combat and eradicate feed-
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
borne crises such as BSE, foot and mouth disease and
swine fever. Under both Regulations, only materials
derived from animal declared fit for human consumption
following veterinary inspection may be used for the
production of feeds.
They also ban intra-species recycling of proteins i.e.

feeding a species with protein derived from the same
species. They set out clear rules on what must and may
be done with the excluded animal materials, imposing
strict identification and traceability system requiring
certain products such as meat and bone meal and fats
destined for destruction to be permanently marked to
avoid possible fraud and risk of diversion of unauthorised
products into food and feed.
The Regulations introduce new disposal methods such as

biogas, composting and co-incineration and certain
approved alternative methods, based on scientific
evidence. They lay down the requirements for the
importation and transit from non-Member countries of
certain animal by-products and derived products.
Process hazards, Ensuring quality and safety of products (Product safety, 99 Business
product safety control of pathogens, origin and type of purchased inputs
and integrity such as fertilisers, feedstock, traceability)
- Description of processes and programs in-place (both

regulatory and non-regulatory) to manage process
hazards, product safety and integrity.
'- Adverse outcomes of audits (including product recalls)
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
and subsequent action (ie. changes to manufacturing or
Product integrity is critical to image and reputation. Any

issues of non-compliance would result in negative
impacts for the whole value chain because consumers do
not necessarily distinguish between retailers,
manufacturers and farmers.
The Australian dairy industry has developed stringent

quality management systems that are underpinned by
comprehensive regulatory requirements. Customer
needs, food safety and product traceability are
paramount for the quality systems but other factors such
as animal welfare, bio-security and environmental
sustainability are also important considerations in the
development of the quality management programs. The
industry works collaboratively with federal and state
government regulatory agencies and service suppliers to
ensure a preventative approach to food safety across the
integrated supply chain.
Due to the reputational impact on sales, the companies 479 Business
in our coverage have transparent audit and certification
procedures to manage their food safety. However, the
sector has seen heightened concerns as a number of
produced foods have been affected by product recalls
related to contamination with salmonella and E. coli, two
kinds of food bacteria that cause illness and even death.
Such incidents clearly increase reputational and market
risk.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Product safety Ingredients, Global Food and Agriculture companies today face a 62 Mediating
information and nutritional and public that is highly engaged on topics related to Institution
communications health quality of personal health and nutrition and how food choices can
food impact both. The convergence of technology, access to
information and health concerns contributes to the
unique environment for food product marketing and
communications.
Chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes are

increasingly linked to changing patterns of food
consumption (together with other contributing factors)
and are increasing rapidly in both adults and children.
Companies have an opportunity and the ability to
develop market and sell more balanced and nutritious
food products and to make these available to a wider
audience in both developed and developing nations.
Seeds and Patent Control of agriculture through the patenting of seeds and 502 Civil Society
plants patents monopolies for plants Organization
seeds and plants
The agrochemical sector and an increasing number of
patent litigation cases have been lodged. Choice for
farmers has also been reduced and seed prices are
skyrocketing
Other Biomass Full Life Cycle One fundamental objective of biomass-based bioenergy 92 Civil Society
production Assessment systems is to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Organization
(LCA) providing a low-carbon energy alternative to fossil fuels.
This Principle embraces full life cycle assessment (LCA) as
the primary tool for ensuring substantive reduction in
GHG emissions.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
of the operation
Chemical Agriculture natural resource management 463 Business
fertilizer,
herbicide and * Economic (production figures and quality, value,
pesticide use income, employment).



the planet.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

factories).
Agricultural pesticides contribute to raising agricultural 415 Mediating
productivity but also pose potential risks to human Institution
health and the environment. Data refer to active
ingredients of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and
other pesticides including plant growth regulators and
rodenticides.
The risks vary greatly depending on pesticide’s inherent

toxicity (or hazard) and exposure. Exposure depends on a
number of variables, such as the application method, the
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
weather after application, its environmental mobility and
persistence, and proximity to water courses.
Use of chemical inputs in agricultural production (i.e. 442, 492 Mediating
fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc) Institution
Amount of chemical inputs used yearly per hectare

- Doses and techniques used to apply them (applied
using labor or machinery?)
-Public or private organism that regulated the use of
these inputs in the local area
Degradation of soil, pollution of water and air are all
closely linked with overuse of pesticides and the kind.
The misuse/overuse of chemical inputs in all forms has
not only environmental impact but also financial impact
because of increasing costs of these products.
Agricultural production needs to start accounting for
long term loses of natural capital and human health in
order to balance the misuse promoted by certain
chemical companies selling this kind of products.
Users
- natural products
- nanotechnology
- animal testing
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)


Chemical fertilizer use can contaminate surface and 536 Mediating
ground water and contribute to greenhouse gas Institution
emissions.
Agriculture also emits very significant amounts of 389 Financial
greenhouse gases and the increase in meat consumption Markets &
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
points to growing impacts. Improving yields could also Information
engender an increased Users
consumption of fertilizers and pesticides, thereby
sparking other very damaging environmental effects such
as water eutrophisation. All these factors add to the
complex and finely-balance equation of food security.
Agricultural Impacts on Use of machinery in agricultural production 119, 554 Mediating
machinery use environment Institution
and -Number, brand and year of manufacturing of each
employment machine
-Number of hours per hectare and number of times it is
required.
-Agricultural tasks done with aforementioned machinery
Use of machinery is intrinsically linked with energy

efficiency, Co2 emissions and social impact of machines
replacing labor.
International A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism 331 Civil Society
and national whose genetic material has been altered using genetic Organization
regulations on engineering techniques. Organisms that have been
genetically genetically modified include micro-organisms such as
modified (GM) bacteria and yeast, plants, fish, and mammals.
products Some countries are demanding separation of GM and
non-GM products and are fixing standards for the level of
adventitious presence of GM material in non-GM
products, including in seed. Seed companies have to
comply with these regulations.
In order to achieve that, it is essential that seed
companies have at their disposal for their internal use
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
the necessary technology to test the seed they are
producing.
Corporate Gender GOVERNANCE / EUROPE: boardroom lady boom: is it 389 Financial
governance participation on possible without quotas? Markets &
governance On 22 June, the CapitalCom agency published its 2011 Information
bodies survey into the boardroom gender mix of CAC 40 Users
companies, with fairly encouraging results: the
proportion of women on the board has doubled in recent
years, from 10.5% in 2009 to 20.8% in 2011.
In January, the French parliament adopted legislation

imposing quotas for the proportion of women on the
board of major companies. Under the measures, the
development of female board membership is mandatory
and gradual: 20% for listed groups, public companies of
an administrative, industrial and commercial nature by
January 2014, rising to 40% by January 2017. The law
also stipulates that companies with no women present
on their board must appoint at least one within six
months of it being on the statute books (voted on 13
January 2011). In France, some 2,000 companies are
affected (the 650 largest listed firms and companies with
more than 500 employees and those generating sales in
excess of €50bn). In terms of sanctions for
noncompliance, appointments that run counter to the
parity principles are to be declared null and void and
attendance fees are to be temporarily suspended.
At the European level and at the instigation of the Vice-

president of the European Commission, Viviane Reding,
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
the European parliament will decide in March 2012 on
whether to adopt common legislation on this matter (a
mandatory proportion of women in decision-making
positions of 30% in 2015 and 40% in 2020). This will
depend on the level of improvement seen based on the
selfregulation of European companies, in accordance
with the equality initiative adopted by the European
Commission in December 2010 and the European
parliament resolution of 17 January 2008 calling for the
Commission and member states to promote a balance
between women and men on company boards,
particularly where member states are shareholders.
Europe as a whole illustrates the degree of hesitation

between a soft-law approach and conventional
legislation (quotas in this instance), but it is clear from
the experience at national level that the second method
tends to get much better results.
Land tenure A sustainable agriculture system meets the following 536 Mediating

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Political There are various measures of political accountability 394, 616 Financial
accountability that can be measured (contributions, disclosure, board Markets &
oversight). Information
Users
Note that this topic is applicable to more than the three
industries noted. Essentially the political accountability
practices of any company that is owned by public
stockholders. Political contributions, the amount of
disclosure and board oversight are among the data items
that would be helpful in a sustainability report.
In making investment decisions (especially for investors

interested in socially responsible investing) is would be
helpful to understand how a given company is exposed
to political risk (i.e. are they backing the winning
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
candidate, are they subject to potential retribution, why
do they find it necessary to make political contributions,
etc.).
I have found the information I reference to be helpful in

constructing investment portfolios that take into account
this attribute of sustainability. Since it is not currently an
established parameter in the socially responsible
investment industry (www.ussif.org), adoption by the
Global Reporting Initiative would go a long way in
moving the topic of political accountability forward.
Resource use A sustainable agriculture system meets the following 536 Mediating
efficiency criteria: land tenure is established; soil fertility is Institution

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Sourcing Raw materials, The reporting organization should also provide a 207* Civil Society
strategy and ingredients and disclosure of the sourcing strategy taken to the following Organization
policies feedstock sector-specific Sourcing Aspects:
• Protecting Natural Resources;
• Minimizing Toxicity;
• Fair Trade;
• Fair Compensation for Labor;
• Traceability;
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO102);
• Animal Welfare; and
• Biofuels.
The reporting organization should explain how those of
the above Aspects that are considered material are
incorporated into the organization’s sourcing strategies
and processes. The reporting organization should state
how it integrates sustainability considerations
throughout its supply chain into its purchasing criteria.
Definitions
Sourcing
For the purposes of this Supplement sourcing is defined
as the obtaining of inputs such as raw materials,
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
ingredients and feedstocks.
Natural resources
Are naturally occurring substances or non-human
organisms that are considered valuable in their relatively
unmodified (natural) form. A natural resource’s value
rests in the amount of the material available and the
demand for it. The latter is determined by its usefulness
to production.
Ecotoxicity
Refers to the potential for biological, chemical or physical
stressors to affect ecosystems.
Fair Wage
Is determined by the type of work required in terms of
roles and responsibilities, skills and qualifications, and
comparative value for similar work prevailing in the job
market, often regulated by legislation, negotiated by
trade bodies or determined by market forces. Additional
considerations for a fair wage include internal equity, a
balance of monetary and non-cash benefits consistent
with organizational goals and prevailing culture, that is
sufficient to cover basic living costs.
Fair Trade
Is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency
and respect that seeks greater equity in international
trade. It contributes to sustainable development by
offering better trading conditions to, and securing the
rights of, marginalized producers and workers –
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed
by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting
producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for
changes in the rules and practice of conventional
international trade.
Genetically Modified Organisms

Means an organism (with the exception of human
beings) in which the genetic material has been altered in
a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or
natural recombination.
Supplier Economic, Requires that every provider along a supply chain meet 536 Mediating
screening environmental, economic, environmental, and social standards that will Institution
and social ensure a healthy food and agriculture system well into
standards in the the future.
supply chain
For the 70 % of the world’s poor who live in rural areas,
agriculture is the main source of income and
employment – and they produce most of the world’s
food. Linking these smallholder farmers to markets,
whether to local markets or regional supply chains,
provides an avenue to reduce poverty and food
insecurity, while increasing the global supply of food.
Numerous third-party certification schemes exist for
measuring, reporting and defining sustainability at the
farm level, including Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest
Alliance, and UTZ Certified, among others. Industry
groups and companies are also establishing their own set
of principles and standards. Additionally, multi-
stakeholder “Roundtables” have formed over the past
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
decade to focus on a set of performance-based
standards and practices by commodity groups (for
example, palm oil, soy, and cocoa) that are widely traded
around the world.
Labor and Social problems in the supply chain 175, 399 Financial
working Markets &
conditions in the - guidelines on the procurement of raw materials Information
supply chain '- supplier standards Users
'- supplier monitoring
'- labelling (e.g. Fair Trade)
'- support of international initiatives such as the Common
Code for the Coffee Community (4C)
The production of foodstuffs and the primary products

used in them is becoming increasingly global. Most
notably, the cultivation of raw materials often takes
place in low-wage countries. In developing countries, in
particular, social standards in agricultural production are
generally very low, and there are repeated reports of
child labour and slavery, for example on cocoa
plantations in West Africa, and of inadequate health and
safety standards (for example in the handling of
pesticides) in the cultivation of coffee. In addition, poor
wages and long working hours combined with
inadequate social provision are common in the industry.

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Food Production - Agricultural Production – Specific Topics
Economic Financial Prices of crops The agriculture sector has hit the headlines again in 97 Business
implications due recent weeks on the back of the severe weather
to sustainability disruption to wheat and barley supplies from Russia and
issues the Ukraine. This serves to highlight the higher volatility
of soft commodity prices that is at least partly
attributable to lower average levels of inventories across
the grain markets. Arguably, the decline in soft
commodity inventories of the last decade is as much
driven by design as by supply/demand dynamics.
A soft commodity is a commodity such as coffee, cocoa,

sugar, corn, wheat, soybean and fruit. This term
generally refers to commodities that are grown, rather
than mined.
Environmental Natural water Water-related Water-related infrastructure imposes many changes on 434 Mediating
systems impacts infrastructure natural water systems. Large dams built for water Institution
storage, recreation, or flood control are intended to alter
the natural hydrologic regime by affecting the size,
distribution, and timing of streamflow. They also trap
sediments and food sources used downstream in deltas,
and affect temperature regimes leading to changes in
ecosystems. Major irrigation systems withdraw water
from rivers or lakes to be used consumptively on fields to
grow food, reducing flows in natural systems. These
physical, chemical, and geomorphological changes affect
the biological productivity and characteristics of aquatic
ecosystems, which in turn affect flora and fauna as well
as economics and politics
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Water pollution Water discharge Water use (quantity) and water quality in dairy supply 371, 545 Business
and effluent chain
run-off
Efficiency of water use for growing crops and dairy cow
milking operations. How is the farmer working towards
improved efficiency?
Water quality impacts of growing crops and dairy cow
milking operations. How is run off of nutrients into water
streams and ground water prevented by the farmer?
How is manure management, how are fertilizers
managed? Cleaning water of the barn?
Water quality impacts of dairy processing (including
cheese making). How are water discharge and quantities
of nutrients managed by the dairy processor?
Water is scarce in particular areas and could be in

intensive competition with other water users. Run off
and water discharge can lead to eutrophication of water
streams and bodies. Government, customers and
communities are interested in water.
Water use is not a topic that can easily be compared

across regions and countries. It should be analyzed in
context of availability of water and already existing
impacts on water sources.
Agricultural Integrated Maximizing production on lands dedicated to producing 92 Civil Society
productivity resource biomass and having additional lands with other primary Organization
optimization management end uses provide supplementary biomass can help
address the multiple demands for land resources in a
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
more sustainable way. Optimizing agricultural
productivity while limiting impacts to the environment
can create profitable and more sustainable agricultural
systems, and help minimize the footprint required to
support the growth of a large-scale industry of low-
carbon bioenergy

of the operation
Social Child labor Social problems in the supply chain 175, 399 Financial
Markets &
- guidelines on the procurement of raw materials Information
'- supplier standards Users
'- supplier monitoring
'- labelling (e.g. Fair Trade)
'- support of international initiatives such as the Common
Code for the Coffee Community (4C)
The production of foodstuffs and the primary products

used in them is becoming increasingly global. Most
notably, the cultivation of raw materials often takes
place in low-wage countries. In developing countries, in
particular, social standards in agricultural production are
generally very low, and there are repeated reports of
child labour and slavery, for example on cocoa
plantations in West Africa, and of inadequate health and
safety standards (for example in the handling of
pesticides) in the cultivation of coffee. In addition, poor
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
wages and long working hours combined with
inadequate social provision are common in the industry.

Labor conditions Cotton Freedom of Association, Health and Safety, Child Labour, 47 Business
production Forced Labour, Non-discrimination
Achieving improvements in the social and environmental

conditions of cotton production is essential for human
and environmental health, the livelihood of millions of
people world-wide, and the future of the commodity
Consumer Breast milk Adherence to the WHO code of Marketing of Breast-milk 594 Mediating
product safety substitutes substitutes ( see Institution
information and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Code_of_Mar
communications keting_of_Breast-milk_Substitutes)
Company policies and management systems related to

the code.
Breach of the code leads to violation of the following

human rights:
Universal declaration of human rights : article 3
Convention on the rights of the child: articles 3 and 6
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Agricultural Hybrid and Gene Modified Organisms 153 Financial
genetic genetically Markets &
engineering (GE) modified (GM) Share of products containing genetically modified Information
seed and plant organisms or ingredients containing genetically modified Users
use in organisms in %
agricultural
production
Use of hybrid and GM seeds in agricultural production 153, 233 Mediating
Institution
Reason for adopting these sort of seeds in the
production
-Amount of hybrid and GM seeds used in production
-Name of providers of these sort of seeds
-expected impact of these sort of seeds on the
environment
-expected impact of these sort of seeds on human health
The sort of seeds used in agricultural production is the

first step that adds an impact of humans and natural
resources. The effect of hybrid and GM seeds is
reportedly to be adversed, however companies are still
willing to spread their use despite the environmental and
social costs in long term.
Stakeholder The use of biotech products in agriculture (green 460 Financial
trust in biotechnology) is widely criticized among certain Markets &
genetically stakeholder groups. Public mistrust centers on the Information
modified (GM) production, release and use of genetically modified seeds Users
seeds and plants and plants. The use of genetically modified organisms in
closed production processes (white biotechnology) to
increase the cost efficiency, speed and yield of industrial
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
applications is far less criticized. Building and maintaining
stakeholders’ trust in their core technologies is a general
sustainability challenge faced by the biotechnology
industry.
Food security Environmental Agriculture also emits very significant amounts of 389 Financial
impacts in greenhouse gases and the increase in meat consumption Markets &
achieving food points to growing impacts. Improving yields could also Information
security engender an increased consumption of fertilizers and Users
pesticides, thereby sparking other very damaging
environmental effects such as water eutrophisation. All
these factors add to the complex and finely-balance
equation of food security.
Impacts of Biofuels: public enemy number one? 389 Financial
biofuel Markets &
production on Another factor, namely employing feedstocks in energy Information
food security markets, has diverted the use of agricultural raw Users
materials in recent years, which has driven up prices.
Biofuels account for a growing proportion of food
production in Europe, in the US, Brazil, Malaysia and
Indonesia, as illustrated in the following figures:
- Ethanol uses up 40% of the corn produced in the US,
though the country is still the world’s biggest importer.
- 20% of the sugar cane produced in Brazil is for ethanol
production.
- Half of the rape seed grown in Europe is for biodiesel
production.
- A growing part of the palm oil produced in Malaysia and
Indonesia (responsible for so much deforestation) is used
to generate biodiesel (most of it targeted at European
countries).
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Research to The G20 recommends boosting productivity and 389 Financial
increase financing research to improve crops with a view to Markets &
productivity obtaining better yields. The G20 also recommends a Information
particular research emphasis on improving wheat and Users
rice yields, given the recognized importance of these
crops in terms of food security.
Food Production - Animal Source Food Production – Specific Topics
Economic Socio-economic Sustainable development of fisheries, aquaculture and 468 Civil Society
performance of fisheries areas Organization
fisheries
Earnings in the EU marine fisheries are only around a
third of the average for the general EU economy. The
socio-economic performance of the fisheries sector has
been falling; this has diminished the attractiveness of
employment in the fisheries industry and is posing a
fundamental threat to the future of the sector. Higher
landings would help to safeguard employment in the fish
processing industry and possibly even lead to some job
increases.
Environmental Emissions to air Dairy supply Greenhouse gas emissions in the dairy supply chain, from 59, 503 Business
- GHG emissions chain cow feed production to consumer use.
For dairy farming: 1) manure management, 2) enteric

emissions 3) fertilizer use 4) energy use during growing
of crops, processing of milk, and general operations of
the dairy farm.
For dairy processing: energy use during processing of
dairy products and transportation, packaging
Retailer: energy use in store
Consumer: food waste
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
GHG emissions on the farm are responsible for around

70% of the GHG footprint in the dairy supply chain life
cycle. Overall, the US dairy industry is around 2% of total
GHG emissions in the US. Retailers and dairy customers
have set targets for GHG reduction, and consumers are
interested in this information. Opportunity for farmers
and processors to save costs and identify production
efficiencies since energy, fuel and fertilizers are
expensive.
See response to question 3.

Food waste Recycled cooking oil and grease from food-processing in- 385 Business
management line grease traps has been collected by independent
renderers for many years. Unprocessed recyclable
cooking oil may contain over 50 % impurities such as
water, food particles, plastic utensils, etc. Most
processed recycled cooking oils are sold as Yellow
Grease. Many independent renderers operate fleets of
specialized trucks for transporting these various raw
materials to plants for processing. They maintain the
required waste transportation licenses in each state in
which they operate and have implemented
environmental protection and safety programs which
protect communities from spills and other hazards of
transporting waste materials.
Biodiesel production is inherently dangerous due to the

handling of fats and oils feedstocks, alcohol reactants,
and strong acids and bases, sometimes under pressure or
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
high temperatures. Potential collectors or users of these
materials should fully research safety and handling issues
to gain a full knowledge of oil and grease handling and
biodiesel processing. In addition to safety issues, the
production of biodiesel also generates disposal concerns
with byproduct glycerin, unreacted feedstocks, and off-
spec product.
Wastewater Generation and There are four basic categories of environmental 477 Business
discharge from concerns regarding wastewater generated and
rendering plants discharged by rendering plants: protection of aquatic life,
protection of human and animal health, protection of
receiving stream aesthetics, and protection of water
supply quality. Protection of aquatic life requires the
most significant attention and expense in wastewater
treatment
Rendering plants generate significant volumes of

wastewater. The wastewater contains contaminants that
are relatively low in long-term environmental risk, but
cannot be released directly to the rivers, streams, or
lakes without proper treatment.
Water use Dairy farming Access to suitable water supply (quantity and quality) 354 Business
efficiency and processing
* Water consumption and needs
- Impacted water sources
- Activities to reduce consumption and/or reliance on
potable water sources
- Water efficiency
- Coping with water restrictions
- Future challenges
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
The dairy industry is heavily reliant upon water

availability with dairy farming in Australia, accounting for
one third of land under irrigation. For the 66-month
period ending in May 2007, 23.1% of Australia was in the
lowest rainfall decile. Much of the Murray–Darling Basin
continued to suffer from severe drought on this longer
time-scale (Braganza, 2008). The level of rainfall had a
significant impact on the dairy industry in terms of water
availability for pasture irrigation, dairy herd consumption
and other related uses. Climate variability and changing
land use patterns (ie. increased plantations near farms,
urbanisation), along with emerging policy in Australia has
caused uncertainty in the dairy farm sector regarding the
ongoing security of water supply. Access to water is
highly dependent upon regulation and price.
- The periodic drought events that impact Australia’s

agriculture sector are expected to become more severe.
- The amended Murray Darling Basin Plan will still likely
result in a 30% reduction in water diversions for
agriculture, after accounting for the Commonwealth’s
assumed infrastructure savings, driving up the cost of
water borne by farmers.
Water use (quantity) and water quality in dairy supply 371, 545 Business
chain
Efficiency of water use for growing crops and dairy cow

milking operations. How is the farmer working towards
improved efficiency?
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Water quality impacts of growing crops and dairy cow
milking operations. How is run off of nutrients into water
streams and ground water prevented by the farmer?
How is manure management, how are fertilizers
managed? Cleaning water of the barn?
Water quality impacts of dairy processing (including
cheese making). How are water discharge and quantities
of nutrients managed by the dairy processor?
Water is scarce in particular areas and could be in

intensive competition with other water users. Run off
and water discharge can lead to eutrophication of water
streams and bodies. Government, customers and
communities are interested in water.
Water use is not a topic that can easily be compared

across regions and countries. It should be analyzed in
context of availability of water and already existing
impacts on water sources.
Use of Reclaimed water or recycled water, is former wastewater 31 Business
reclaimed or (sewage) that is treated to remove solids and certain
recycled water impurities, and used in sustainable landscaping irrigation
or to recharge groundwater aquifers. The purpose of
these processes is sustainability and water conservation,
rather than discharging the treated water to surface
waters such as rivers and oceans.
The definition of reclaimed water, as defined by Levine

and Asano, is "The end product of wastewater
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
reclamation that meets water quality requirements for
biodegradable materials, suspended matter and
pathogens."[1] In more recent conventional use, the
term refers to water that is not treated as highly in order
to offer a way to conserve drinking water. This water is
thusly given to uses such as agriculture and sundry
industry uses.
An industry specific target for the (Red meat processing

industry) is 10% reduction in water consumption per
tonne of Hot Standard Carcass Weight (tHSCW) by 2015.
One way to increase water efficiency is to recycle/ reuse
water.
Aquaculture Ecosystems Impacts like: competition for space, pollution, escaped 608 Civil Society
impacts farmed fish, parasites and disease, the use of wild-caught Organization
fish for fish feed, the use of wild-caught fish for farming,
conflict with predators, such as seabirds, seals, and
starfish
Aquaculture is a huge industry, and the world's fastest

growing food sector. It's worth a massive US$56 billion
globally and provides one-third of the fish people
consume. When done properly, some forms of
aquaculture can indeed help take pressure off wild
fisheries and provide needed income to coastal
communities.
Odor emissions Management The rendering industry has an impact on the air quality 477 Business
and reduction surrounding its facilities, namely with the odor it creates.
strategies
Odor emissions have historically been the most
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
significant air emission issue in the rendering industry.
Regulation of odor emissions has been challenging due
to the difficulty in quantifying odor concentrations. Odor
emissions are often regulated at the local governmental
level and regulations are often based on nuisance
concepts rather than on analytical concepts
Odor emissions have historically been the most
significant air emission
Social Overfishing and Fishery A fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not 369 Civil Society
fish stock operations lead to over-fishing or depletion of the exploited Organization
recovery populations and, for those populations that are depleted,
the fishery must be conducted in a manner that
demonstrably leads to their recovery 2
Overfishing can lead to the irreversible extinction of

certain fish species
Policies and Many commercial fisheries are characterized by too 420 Mediating
management many fishers (and vessels) chasing too few fish. Institution
systems in According to FAO data from 2007, 17% of the world’s fish
fishery stocks are overexploited, 7% are depleted, and 1% are
operations recovering from depletion. The collapse of several high
profile fish stocks, such as the North West Atlantic cod,
and their failure to recover despite a reduction or
moratorium on fishing effort, has raised concerns over
the success of rebuilding plans for overfished stocks.
Central to addressing the situation of overfished and

depleted stocks is the establishment of responsible
fisheries policies and management systems, within a
broader marine ecosystem context.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Overfishing, Impacts on A fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not 369 Civil Society
overexploitation aquatic lead to over-fishing or depletion of the exploited Organization
and depletion of biodiversity and populations and, for those populations that are depleted,
fish stocks marine the fishery must be conducted in a manner that
ecosystems demonstrably leads to their recovery 2
from fishery
operations Overfishing can lead to the irreversible extinction of
certain fish species
CITES listings are also a powerful tool in combating 222 Civil Society
illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Organization
providing support to and complementing national,
regional and international fisheries conservation and
management measures.
Decades of overfishing, overcapacity and extremely high

levels of illegal fishing have, for example, led to a severe
decrease in the Atlantic Bluefin tuna population, one of
the most valuable tuna species in the world.
Many commercial fisheries are characterized by too 420 Mediating
many fishers (and vessels) chasing too few fish. Institution
According to FAO data from 2007, 17% of the world’s fish
stocks are overexploited, 7% are depleted, and 1% are
recovering from depletion. The collapse of several high
profile fish stocks, such as the North West Atlantic cod,
and their failure to recover despite a reduction or
moratorium on fishing effort, has raised concerns over
the success of rebuilding plans for overfished stocks.
Central to addressing the situation of overfished and

depleted stocks is the establishment of responsible
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
fisheries policies and management systems, within a
broader marine ecosystem context.
In relation to locally sourced products, a biodiversity 479 Business
issue that has become critical is the increased pressure
on global fish stocks. This has led to regulations and
quotas in some regions (UK, EU and international
fisheries law and regulations).
Agricultural or Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, which produce food 399, 413 Financial
fishing and beverages in an environmentally sustainable and Markets &
standards and animal-friendly way. Information
certification Users
- natural products
- nanotechnology
- animal testing

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

Fishing Standards and certifications have evolved to be a tool to 62 Mediating
standards and enable trust, by providing Traceability and Transparency. Institution
certification As food becomes a ready means for consumers to
practice their own form of responsibility and
sustainability, these attributes grow in complexity and
can include dimensions of social and environmental
performance. For companies, this makes delivering on
trust increasingly complex and demanding.
Trust is the foundation and the goal in the global Food

and Agriculture business today. Today and increasingly in
the future, safety is part of a growing portfolio of
attributes consumers and stakeholders throughout the
value chain expect from Food and Agriculture
companies.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Other Animal Physical FP10 Policies and practices, by species and breed type, 207* Civil Society
husbandry alterations related to physical alterations and the use of anaesthetic. Organization
practices Animal husbandry practices involving critical issues such
as physical alterations are of increasing concern to
stakeholders. Physical alterations require appropriate
husbandry practices or the use of anaesthetics to
minimize pain to animals. This indicator seeks to
measure the types of physical alterations performed by
the reporting organization. Also, where the reporting
organization processes animals reared by contract
farmers or animals procured on the open market,
reporting on this indicator will provide valuable
information for the report readers.
Veterinary Expenditure for veterinary pharmaceuticals, seeds, 153 Financial
pharmaceuticals herbicides, pesticides and other drugs Markets &
use Information
Users
FP12 Policies and practices on antibiotic, anti- 207* Civil Society
inflammatory, hormone, and/or growth promotion Organization
treatments, by species and breed type
Antibiotics may be used to maintain and/or treat the

health of animals specifically reared for the production of
food products. Certain hormones may be used to
promote growth, induce spawning, and increase yields of
animals reared for food products. Consumers and
stakeholders have become increasingly concerned about
the potential development of antibiotic resistance in
humans as well as the potential impacts of hormones on
human health. Data reported under this indicator
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
provide a measure of the reporting organization’s use of
antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, hormone, and/or growth
promotion treatments.
Also, where the reporting organization processes animals
reared by contract farmers or animals procured on the
open market, reporting on this indicator will provide
valuable information for the report readers.
Animal health Animal housing FP11 Percentage and total of animals raised and/or 207* Civil Society
and welfare systems processed, by species and breed type, per housing type Organization
The type of housing systems used to rear animals for the

production of food is of increasing importance to
stakeholders. Animal welfare can be impacted by the
housing system. This indicator identifies the types of
animal housing systems used by the reporting
organization.
Also, where the reporting organization processes animals
reared by contract farmers or animals procured on the
open market, reporting on this indicator will provide
valuable information for the report readers.
Housing System
Housing system refers to the use of 1) indoor intensive
systems (e.g., cage systems for laying hens or sow stall
and slatted floor indoor units for pigs), 2) indoor
extensive systems (e.g., barn or perchery systems for
laying hens and bedded indoor systems for pigs), and 3)
outdoor or free-range systems which allow animals the
freedom to move outside. Housing systems also includes
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
at-sea or freshwater enclosures, cages, tanks, and/or
ponds for aquaculture.
Animal FP13 Total number of incidents of significant non- 207* Civil Society
husbandry, compliance with laws and regulations, and adherence Organization
transport and with voluntary standards related to transportation,
slaughter handling, and slaughter practices for live terrestrial and
aquatic animals
Non-compliance indicates either inadequate internal
management systems and procedures or ineffective
implementation. In addition to direct financial
consequences such as penalties or fines, significant non-
compliance poses a risk to animal welfare, the reporting
organization’s reputation, and customer trust. An
organization’s incidents of non-compliance should
remain as low as possible. The trends revealed by this
indicator can indicate improvements or deterioration in
the effectiveness of internal controls.
Livestock Animal welfare or animal well-being refers to the 98, 483 Business
production physical and mental health of animals. (Animal health
systems and husbandry, feed conditions, animal transport, bobby
calves)
Discussion of strategies and programs to manage:

- Nutrition
- Cow health (ie. mastitis, calving practices, lameness)
- Young stock and animal husbandry management
(birthing, weaning)
- Transport (domestic and export)
- Euthanasia
- Stock handling
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Adherence to best practice standards and extent of
training
Good animal husbandry practices are essential to ensure

dairy farm livelihoods. As well, consumers have become
more aware and concerned about the welfare of animals.
Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, have
raised the profile of animal welfare in livestock
production systems. An increased awareness of animal
welfare is increasingly encouraging consumers to seek
animal welfare assurances for the animal products they
buy. This in turn has encouraged retailers and fast food
outlets to regulate and label how the meat and eggs that
they purchase are produced. A failure to recognise the
importance of animal welfare to consumers may result in
the loss of market access or market share.
The media coverage of exported cattle slaughter

practices in Indonesia has demonstrated the public’s
sensitivity to the issue of animal health and welfare. Yet
factors highly relevant to the Australian dairy industry
such as the treatment of ‘bobby calves’ and the link
between milk producing capacity and animal health are
also reasons why this issue is ranked as highly material.
FP9: Percentage and total of animals raised and/or 207* Civil Society
processed, by species and breed type. Breeding and Organization
genetically selecting or modifying animals are practices
commonly used for the purpose of increasing production
yield; improving disease resistance; or producing other
desirable traits. These practices can have impacts on
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
animal welfare. This indicator serves as a measure for
assessing the breeding and genetic practices of a
reporting organization, including the consideration of
those practices in relation to animal welfare, and the
actions the reporting organization takes to mitigate any
negative impacts on animal welfare of its breeding and
genetic practices. Also, where the reporting organization
processes animals reared by contract farmers or animals
procured on the open market, reporting on this indicator
will provide valuable information for the report readers.
Users
- natural products
- nanotechnology
- animal testing

Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)

Facilities and Examples: 1. Facilities and equipment are designed and 30 Business
equipment maintained to ensure its effective operation and use and
design and is appropriate for the species and class of livestock.
maintenance 2. Facilities are free from protrusions and other objects
that can cause injury, are clean and in good working
order.
3. Design of facilities takes into account protecting
animals from extremes of weather and provides effective
ventilation.
Facilities and equipment are designed and maintained to

ensure minimal interference or stress is incurred by
livestock
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Humane Examples: 1. Livestock are effectively restrained with 30 Business
slaughter minimal stress and for minimal duration prior to stun.
procedures 2. Livestock are effectively stunned with appropriate
equipment for the species and class of livestock.
3. Where reversible stunning is used, sticking is applied
promptly and in a manner that ensures animals do not
regain sensibility.
Restraint, stunning and slaughter procedures are carried

out in a humane and effective manner.
Livestock Examples: Livestock are moved throughout the facility in 30 Business
management a calm and quiet manner that minimises stress.
2. Livestock are segregated in pens in accordance with
species (and class wherever possible).
3. Animals are penned with sufficient space to move
freely, lie down and to access the watering facilities
Livestock are routinely managed to minimise stress and

injuries.
Livestock 1. Expectations for assuring that livestock are fit for the 30 Business
management intended journey are communicated to livestock
during transport suppliers to minimise the risk of receiving weak, ill or
and slaughter injured livestock at the establishment.
2. Consignments of livestock are assessed upon arrival
and weak, ill or injured livestock are identified and
recorded.
3. Livestock identified to be weak, ill or injured or
suffering from other ailments that impact on their
welfare are assessed by a competent person and the
appropriate action is promptly taken.
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
Weak, ill or injured livestock are identified and promptly

treated in a humane manner
Staff Examples: 2. Personnel undergoing training are 30 Business
competency monitored regularly by a competent person and/or are
handling observed directly for tasks that are considered high risk
livestock to livestock welfare, until deemed competent.
3. Personnel handling livestock on a daily basis regularly
observe the animals and are competent to:
• Identify abnormal animal behaviour, injuries or signs of
stress in livestock; and
• Take action when required to rectify a problem.
4. All personnel handling livestock are competent in the
appropriate use of handling implements and/or dogs to
move animals.
All personnel responsible for the handling of livestock are

competent in their tasks consistent with the
requirements of these Standards.
Animal care 17, 383 Business
How the farmer takes best care of his/her animals.

Should include questions like farmer participates in
animal care program, has an established veterinary-
client-patient relationship, and implements a herd health
plan with standard operating procedures (includes SOPs
like vaccination, newborn calf management, dehorning,
castration, etc).
Consumers, customer, retailers care about it. For
Topic
Sustainability
Category
(if available)
producers, healthy animal means better efficiency in
production, less costs and better quality milk (better milk
price).
Expenditure for veterinary pharmaceuticals, seeds, 153 Financial
herbicides, pesticides and other drugs Markets &
Information
Users
Biosecurity Rendering Biosecurity is a set of preventive measures designed to 236 Business
industry reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases,
quarantined pests, invasive alien species, living modified
organisms
The handling of biosecurity issues by the rendering

industry has an impact on public health and animal
health. Some other claim that the rendering process is
an effective method for ensuring biosecurity because
processing conditions assure the destruction of
pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
International Illegal, CITES listings are also a powerful tool in combating 222 Civil Society
fisheries unreported and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Organization
regulations unregulated providing support to and complementing national,
and/or (IUU) fishing regional and international fisheries conservation and
agreements management measures.
Decades of overfishing, overcapacity and extremely high

levels of illegal fishing have, for example, led to a severe
decrease in the Atlantic Bluefin tuna population, one of
the most valuable tuna species in the world.
* GRI Sector Guidance
1
All references can be found at https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/sector-guidance/Topics-Research/Pages/default.aspx
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° Resource available on request and/or for a fee.

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This table shows a list of topics identified as relevant by different stakeholder groups.

They can be considered as stakeholders’ suggestions or requests

Food Production - Agricultural and Animal Source Food Production

24 - Food Production - Agricultural Production

25 - Food Production - Animal Source Food Production(1)

- Environmental ( Water use efficiency and productivity,

- Social (education, employment, health and safety,

It is the environmental ones that need some adjustment.

1) Agriculture is the biggest industry in terms of its

* How the company contributes to local, regional, state

Dairy is Australia's third largest rural industry and a

* How the company contributes to local, regional, state

Dairy is Australia's third largest rural industry and a

An integrated resource management plan will address

improves management practices

Risk assessment of whether the company buys or

Deforestation accounts for almost the same carbon

Land use change from forests and peatlands to

Energy prices will rise significantly over the medium to

Dairy shed electricity costs have increased over the past

Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all

Sustainable agriculture, as it pertains to business, is

Over a billion people currently have no access to clean

- All material issues referred to in this document refer to

* Economic (production figures and quality, value,

- Environmental ( Water use efficiency and productivity,

- Social (education, employment, health and safety,

It is the environmental ones that need some adjustment.

1) Agriculture is the biggest industry in terms of its

There are strong market drivers for sustainable food (&

The dairy industry is heavily reliant upon water

- The periodic drought events that impact Australia’s

The Food and Agriculture industry is one of the largest

Over a billion people currently have no access to clean

- All material issues referred to in this document refer to

Calculation or measurement procedures

Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all

Soil biodiversity is one of the richest, most complex

Soil is in close cooperation with the wider biosphere - the

The correlation of soil and biodiversity can be observed

- Strategies and programs to manage negative impacts

The dairy industry is a major agricultural exporting and

As dairying becomes more intensive, ecological impacts

An integrated resource management plan will address

Sustainable agriculture, as it pertains to business, is

Estimates show that the costs of soil erosion damage can

An integrated resource management plan will address

Sustainable agriculture, as it pertains to business, is

* Economic (production figures and quality, value,

- Environmental ( Water use efficiency and productivity,

- Social (education, employment, health and safety,

It is the environmental ones that need some adjustment.

1) Agriculture is the biggest industry in terms of its

There are strong market drivers for sustainable food (&

A buildup of surplus nutrients in excess of immediate

Several unsustainable practices, such as the

- All material issues referred to in this document refer to

Some acquisitions put forests, ecosystems and the

The influence which the food industry has on climate

- All material issues referred to in this document refer to

* Economic (production figures and quality, value,

- Social (education, employment, health and safety,