ETH Industry Day 2022: Meet the expert for a fairer food supply chain

Standards link producers, consumers, and other food system actors

In a recent study, Meemken and her colleagues summarise the scientific findings on sustainability standards (see reference below), including many of their own studies based on fieldwork in Uganda and Cote d¡¯Ivoire. They show that standards, certification, and labels fulfil an important role in food systems: by linking consumers who want to buy certified products, farmers who are willing to meet standards to obtain higher prices, and companies that seek to better manage reputation risks in their supply chains. At the same time, financial benefits for certified farmers are, on average, smaller than often assumed, although farmers typically also derive non-economic benefits from certification (e.g., better access to training and information). Sustainability standards have transformed the coffee and cocoa sector but are of relatively limited importance for most other crops. Indeed, less than 2% of the global agricultural land are currently certified. Thus, sustainability standards are no silver bullet and will not suffice to transform entire food systems. Yet the issues are relevant beyond certification. For example, various countries and the EU have approved or discussed supply chain due diligence laws, which are aimed at holding companies accountable for social and environmental problems in their supply chains. Sustainability is a growing concern -and market- and sustainability standards are one aspect of that broader development.

New approaches to monitoring and traceability needed

¡°There are various challenges regarding the certification and auditing process that need to be addressed to ensure transparency and maintain consumers¡¯ trust in certified products and companies¡¯ sustainability claims¡± says Meemken. For example, auditing processes, which often rely on announced farm inspections, leave room for fraud and are recurrently criticised. ¡°But we also see exciting options for joint projects between the private sector and academia,¡± Meemken says, ¡°and are interested in starting discussions with companies.¡±  Novel and data-driven approaches to monitoring certain environmental problems are proliferating. Satellite data are increasingly used to monitor deforestation, and blockchain technology is increasingly tested and used in the agri-food sector. Yet both the use and research on the suitability of many of the new options and technologies are still in their infancy, especially when it comes to social issues.  ¡°In collaboration with companies, novel approaches could be tested, and monitoring and traceability systems could be improved¡±, Meemken concludes. 

Join us at the ETH Industry Day

Prof. Eva-Marie Meemken is one of over 20 professors and and entrepreneurs who present the latest technologies, research, and entrepreneurial activities at the ETH Industry Day on 7^th September. As the largest annual networking event for the industry, it is the perfect opportunity to meet professors and young entrepreneurs. Check out the programme and external pagesign upcall_made today!