SAI Platform and UEBT join forces to accelerate the responsible sourcing of wild-harvested botanicals
14th October 2024
The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) and the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) are pleased to announce a new partnership aimed at enhancing responsible sourcing practices for wild-harvested botanicals. This collaboration combines the expertise and strengths of both organisations to provide a unified approach to sustainable and ethical sourcing, benefiting their respective members and the broader industry.
This partnership comes at a critical time as consumer expectations and global regulatory requirements continue to rise for sustainable supply chains. Wild-harvested botanicals are a key ingredient in the food and beverage, beauty, and pharmaceutical sectors, however, their responsible sourcing presents unique challenges, particularly in safeguarding biodiversity and supporting community livelihoods.
By joining forces, SAI Platform and UEBT aim to tackle these challenges and align their efforts to drive meaningful and scalable solutions. Together, they look to advance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices in wild harvesting supply chains by promoting greater knowledge and understanding across the food and beverage sector. This partnership will empower companies with access to expert guidance and clear pathways for verifying and communicating the sustainability of wild-harvested botanicals.
“This collaboration with UEBT marks a pivotal advancement for our members. By joining forces, we are delivering a clear, aligned approach to the responsible sourcing of wild-harvested botanicals. At SAI Platform, we are committed to leveraging the expertise of trusted partners, and we are proud to collaborate with leaders such as UEBT to help our members confidently meet their sustainability goals.”
Joe Rushton, FSA Director, SAI Platform.
Following the extensive research into wild harvesting conducted in collaboration with members in recent years, SAI Platform has developed a set of Principles & Practices for the Sustainable Sourcing of Wild Harvested Botanicals which can be accessed here or via the download link below.
In recognition of UEBT’s expertise in navigating the complexities of wild-harvested supply chains, SAI Platform will recommend UEBT’s well established verification and certification programmes to any members interested in verification going forward. SAI Platform’s Wild Harvest Sustainability Assessment (WHSA) will be retired to support this new unified approach.
The UEBT verification programme is improvement-focused with ‘critical’ requirements for “Responsibly sourced” botanicals, or additional requirements for “Ethically sourced” botanicals. Its certification programme is a third-party programme that will offer consumer-facing labelling to SAI Platform members. This alignment eliminates duplication of efforts and provides companies with a clearer path to compliance, while maintaining high levels of oversight and credibility.
“The partnership is a crucial shift in alignment that better supports companies to responsibly source botanicals from the wild. These ingredients are threatened by ecosystem degradation, often driven by poverty as forests and other intact landscapes are cut down for expansion of agriculture or other land uses. By working with SAI Platform, we are supporting companies to give value to these standing ecosystems while also meeting consumer and client expectations of responsibly sourced ingredients.”
Rik Kutsch Lojenga, Executive Director, UEBT
SAI Platform members will gain invaluable access to UEBT’s expertise in ethical sourcing, including knowledge, resources, and tools specifically designed for wild-harvested supply chains. For UEBT, the partnership expands its reach into the food and beverage sector, increasing the uptake of its certification and verification programmes. The wild-harvested supply chains themselves will benefit from increased focus and a more consistent approach to overcoming sustainability challenges unlocking opportunities for continuous improvement. At the core of this collaboration is promoting the long-term health of biodiversity and the communities that rely on these natural resources, ensuring that wild-harvested supply chains remain resilient and sustainable.
In the coming months, SAI Platform and UEBT will co-host joint webinars, share case studies, and collaborate on resources designed to support their members navigate the complexities of wild-harvested supply chains. This knowledge-sharing approach will foster a deeper understanding of the risks and opportunities, ensuring that companies across sectors are equipped to make informed decisions.
For further information on the SAI Platform / UEBT partnership, please contact Joe Rushton, FSA Director at jruston@saiplatform.org or rik@uebt.org.