Participation in the “BioVal” research project

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of living organisms of all origins, such as Plants, animals, microorganisms, etc., as well as terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes to which they belong. It is important that there is diversity within and between species and at the same time that there is diversity of ecosystems.

Biodiversity is a very special asset of our planet and indispensable for humans. Natural habitats and species provide us with food and drinking water, supply fibers for clothing and raw materials for medicines, offer protection from storms and floods and regulate the climate. Without biodiversity and the services provided by ecosystems, which we humans use in many different ways, the livelihoods, health and well-being of all peoples and societies would be at risk.

Damage to habitats, especially through conversion for agriculture, e.g. deforestation and the associated conversion to agricultural land

Effects of climate change

Pollution and contamination of waters and soils through negative external effects such as microplastics, pesticides or artificial fertilizers as well as ocean acidification

Spread of invasive species and genes. As soon as they spread uncontrollably, they displace native species and reduce biodiversity.

Overexploitation of animal and plant species and practices that threaten their survival, for example in fisheries

By creating an understanding of the threat to biodiversity and making the connection with their own product life cycle transparent. The food industry is particularly affected: On the one hand, we are the most threatened by the loss of biodiversity and at the same time the biggest culprit for this loss.

By identifying risks in their own supply chains, supporting measures to promote/increase biodiversity and thus reducing the negative impact of their own trade.

Biodiversity is a prerequisite for the balance in nature and agriculture. We formulate corresponding premises in our sustainability guidelines for our goal of preserving and improving the natural living conditions for flora and fauna. We reject a switch to monocultures and the destruction of biodiversity.

We expect the following from our suppliers:

Careful management of the plantations for the best product quality with as little impact on the environment as possible

Responsible use of natural resources such as water, soil and energy

Use of pesticides and fertilizers only to the absolute minimum necessary

Negative list of pesticides: Pesticides that are generally permitted, but which we exclude

When using and applying these auxiliary materials, the health of the workers and the surrounding population is always taken into account

No genetic engineering

Avoidance of monocultures

Preservation and promotion of biodiversity

The conditions for environmentally friendly agriculture vary greatly in our producing countries. For this reason, we have formulated guiding requirements in the sustainability guidelines of our purchasing conditions. As a matter of principle, we expect natural resources and biodiversity to be protected and preserved in the best possible way when growing our products. Pesticides and fertilizers may only be used to the absolute minimum extent necessary. Our common goal is for our partners and their descendants to still be able to plant and harvest high-quality agricultural products such as fruit, nuts and coffee on the same agricultural land decades later.

Some examples of how our partners promote biodiversity at the source:

Walnuts from Chile:
When designing a large new plantation, care was taken to ensure that existing, typical Chilean trees up to 200 years old were allowed to keep their place.

Brazil nuts from Bolivia:
The natural ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest is essential for the development of the Brazil nut tree. Cultivation on plantations is therefore not possible. Only a few bee species are able to pollinate Brazil nuts. Without pollination, the tree would not bear fruit. Brazil nut trees are therefore in themselves an indicator of an intact ecosystem. Buying Brazil nuts therefore supports the preservation of the rainforest.

Popcorn maize from France:
The European corn borer is a pest that lays its eggs on the maize plant. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which bore into the plant and feed on it. This in turn damages the plant, which is why corn borer control is necessary to ensure good popcorn quality.
Instead of using pesticides for this purpose, biological control through the use of beneficial insects, so-called parasitic wasps, is used. Ichneumon wasps are natural enemies of the European corn borer. They lay their eggs in the eggs of the European corn borer and thus prevent the larvae from hatching. This prevents the corn borer from multiplying and pesticides can be dispensed with. Avoiding the use of pesticides protects insects and microorganisms that are important for the ecosystem and therefore for biodiversity.

Coffee from India:
In India, coffee does not grow in monocultures, but in mixed cultures together with green pepper. Coffee plants are shade plants. Sufficient shade can compensate for the temperature differences between day and night. If a coffee plant has enough shade, much less fertilizer is needed for cultivation, which results in less soil erosion. The pepper trees provide the coffee plants with the shade they need to protect them from an excess of various weather influences such as strong winds or strong sunlight. Pepper trees also create good living conditions for the coffee plants, loosen the soil and protect it from drying out. This creates a stable ecosystem, which in turn supports biodiversity.