SGS has issued its first certification under the Danube Soya Initiative. This is an important and exciting development in the delivery of certified non-GM soya product to domestic and European markets.

As an authorised inspection body for the Danube Soya Initiative, SGS offers independent certification of soya producers' quality management systems. We verify compliance at every stage, from the seed, through the growing process, harvest, transportation, collection, storing and processing, to the market channel.

"Demand for non-GM food and feed creates opportunities to increase production. This certification marks a positive step in the development of local production to meet this demand," said Franz Pfeifer, SGS Agriculture. "SGS is pleased to be a part of the Danube Soya Initiative and support the local industry."

Europe's food and feed supply chain is reliant on soya imports. The Danube Soya Initiative is an independent, international, non-profit, multi stakeholder association established to develop and guarantee a GM-free protein supply within Europe. It promotes and propagates the cultivation, processing and marketing of GM-free, origin-controlled quality soya from the Danube Region.

Compliance with the Danube Soya Standard sets the foundation for high quality, GMO-free food and feed production. In a market that relies heavily on imported produce, qualifying crops are a significant contribution to creating more independence in European protein supply and in reducing the environmental impact of soya imports.

SGS joins the Danube Soya Initiative at this year's 2nd International Danube Soya Congress, Danube Soya and the European Protein Debate, from 25-26 November 2013 at Kongress am Park, Augsburg.

The conference will address issues relating to soya research, cultivation, processing, imports, European policy, marketing and purchasing. SGS will present Independent Monitoring as Key Element for Credibility on the Monday.

For more information, please contact:

Franz Pfeifer
Business Manager
Consumer Testing & Agricultural Services
SGS Austria Controll-Co. Ges.m.b.H.
Diefenbachgasse 35, A-1150 Vienna
t: +43 1 512 25 67-128
m: +43 664 235 88 31
www.sgs.com/agriculture

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 75,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,500 offices and laboratories around the world.

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