UNILEVER
SUPPLIERS
A CLOSER LOOK AT
BIODIVERSITY
BIODIVERSITY
AN OVERVIEW
what is biodiversity?
Farmed land worldwide is home to many
‘wild’ species, both rare and common.
Farming depends on the ‘ecosystem
services’ provided by pollinators, predators,
the organisms that build soil fertility and
the forests and riparian strips of native
vegetation that help maintain rainfall and
water flow in rivers, and reduce flooding. As
such, farmers have a vital role to play in both
conservation and in maintaining the health of
the environment.
The biodiversity priorities for farmland are
very different in different parts of the world,
and the actions that you and your farmers are
able to take can also vary enormously. This
is why it is important to create a biodiversity
action plan that is appropriate and relevant to
your specific environment.
wHY IS GOOD BIODIVERSITY
MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT TO
UNILEVER?
Part of the value of Unilever branded
products is the assurance we give our
customers and consumers of intrinsic high
quality and safety. Our brand reputation is
built on care for people and the environment
at every stage of the supply chain, starting
with the farms and farmers that grow and
produce the ingredients for our products.
Soil management, pollution reduction
measures and eco-efficiency all show that
farms and other businesses along our supply
chains are behaving in an environmentally
responsible way. But good biodiversity
practices have the potential to create
stories that actually enhance brand value.
Conversely, of course, poor biodiversity
practices can severely damage the reputation
of a brand or even a particular ingredient.
unilever sustainable living plan
The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan is our response to the growing challenges in nutrition, hygiene, climate change and the need for sustainable farming. Challenging our suppliers to become more aware of biodiversity is part of this plan. Find out more on:
www.unilever.com/sustainable-living.
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
why do farmers play such an
important role?
•
Type of farm
Farmers are the custodians of the land.
•
Farming system and its history
•
Landscape mosaic and location of farms
within the landscape
•
Financial support available for
biodiversity support work
•
Legal requirements
•
Specific environment
•
Level of interest of local farmers
Twenty years ago, many commercial
farmers around the world saw themselves
as producers; the farm was their “factory”.
Wildlife or biodiversity was often only
considered if fishing, shooting or hunting on
and around the farm was a traditional activity
or provided an income in itself. Farmers
argued that “We are not a nature reserve - we
are a business!”
It is now understood by most farmers, even
in areas where these views were most
entrenched, that land is multifunctional.
More and more, they are recognising that,
even where no land is specifically allocated to
biodiversity conservation, farmland provides
resources for migrating species of birds and
insects, and that some aspects of biodiversity
provide useful services to farmers or other
parts of society, including:
•
Bees as pollinators
•
Raptors as pest-controllers (e.g. eating
rats in tomato fields)
•
Wetlands and riparian strips as
pollution-filters preventing toxic or
polluting substances arising from farm
practices entering rivers and water
supplies
•
The underlying genetic diversity
that plant and animal breeders take
advantage of to improve yield and
quality, enhance pest and disease
resistance, and extend the growing
season
However, there can be no single action
plan that is appropriate everywhere. The
opportunities that farm businesses and
farmers have to support biodiversity
initiatives vary enormously with the:
The opportunities to become involved in
biodiversity work with Unilever also differ
with the crop involved and how it links into
the farming system. For example, is it always
present on the farm, either as a perennial
crop or as part of a rotation?
What are we asking you to do?
We are asking you and your farmers to think
about what biodiversity means for you and do
something positive. By that we mean consult
locally on the most appropriate actions to
take and engage in programmes that link
your farming activities to the benefits of
biodiversity.
FIND OUT ABOUT LOCAL
CONSERVATION PRIORITIES
If there is a local nature reserve, then the
reserve manager should be able to help
you. Many states or countries also have
their own Biodiversity Action Plan, which
you can usually find on the CBD website.
Some have specific programmes linked
into farmland management. The local
government administration or branch of
the World Wildlife Fund, birding or hunting
clubs may also be a good source of advice. If
you have serious problems fact-finding, let
your Unilever contact know. Our SSDT team
may be able to help.
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
FARMS IN PARTS OF THE WORLD
WITH LOW CONSERVATION STATUS
In some parts of the world, conservationists
consider farmland to be almost a “green
desert”. Although farming is carried out,
the land no longer supports significant
populations of wild species of conservation
value. However, even in such areas, farmers
can have a positive impact by:
•
Taking advantage of the potential for
biocontrol of pests
•
Getting together with other farmers
and processors to create a small
nature reserve in the local community/
landscape which may be used to support
educational programmes in local
schools
•
Supporting visits by local schoolchildren
to nature reserves
•
Setting up nest-boxes for birds or bats
around production sites
•
Identifying areas on the farm where crop
production is often uneconomic such as
steep slopes, shallow soils or areas that
often become waterlogged, and allowing
these to revert to natural vegetation or
planting them with trees
•
Creating a small reserve – such as a
pond – in the farm or factory grounds
that can be used for education, or using
native species to make a picnic area
where workers can enjoy meal-breaks
FARMS WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO
AREAS OF HIGH BIODIVERSITY
VALUE
You should be able to get advice from local,
national or international conservation
organisations. In some parts of the world
there is government and/or NGO support for
biodiversity work on farms, which may take
the form of financial incentives or advice.
In parts of Europe where funds are being
1 Conservation of Biological
Diversity http://www.cbd.int/nbsap/
withdrawn from direct crop subsidies, there
are often schemes to support the provision of
“ecosystem services” on farms.
How can I get involved?
Many farmers are already running successful
biodiversity projects. It’s possible to do so
without reducing profitability. First you need
to assess what your farmers are currently
doing. Ensure that good practices are
maintained and existing areas of biodiversity
value are conserved. Then see what
further steps can be taken to improve local
biodiversity. It’s important to remember that
lots of small actions by many farmers can
add up to make a BIG difference.
Suppliers – you can help
your farmers by:
•
Owning biodiversity programmes on
behalf of the local farming community
e.g. enhancing water storage ponds
for biodiversity
•
Co-ordinating farmer programmes.
In many parts of the world, a supplier
will be in a position to produce a single
“Biodiversity Action Plan” on behalf of
and in consultation with the farmers.
Farmers can then decide which of
several options are most appropriate
for them to take
•
Evaluating where farmers are
now and what they can do without
compromising profitability
•
Helping with information such as
finding out the priorities for national
action plans or making contact with
local experts
•
Helping with finance including
accessing grants
•
Linking to Unilever offers of support in
expertise and funding
What issues might stop
me running a biodiversity
project?
I don’t run a nature reserve. Farming is
about growing and producing raw materials.
Biodiversity is a sideline or ‘nice to have’,
not a core business issue.
Farmland is important not only for
production, but also for keeping the world’s
rivers and air clean, as well as for reducing
flooding and soil erosion [these are called
“ecosystem services”]. Wild animals and
plants don’t understand farm boundaries.
Some spend their lives on farmland and
others hunt on farms or pass through while
migrating. Farmers need to understand the
important role they play in managing and
maintaining the ‘health’ of the land.
I find the whole biodiversity topic complex. I
don’t have the necessary expertise.
We are able to put you in touch with
biodiversity experts who can help. There may
also be government programmes in place in
your part of the world that can provide you
with advice and support. If you need help to
get in touch with local expertise to design a
suitable programme, please contact us.
Biodiversity is costly. Projects need funding
and often they can reduce land on which we
farm.
This is not always the case. We know of
projects where putting up perching-posts for
birds was the most important activity. Also
most farms have areas where current fields
and margins can be made more wildlifefriendly simply by mowing later in the year.
Where projects do need funding, it may be
possible for Unilever and suppliers to work
together with funding agencies to help.
Why would I want to encourage wild animals
on my farm land? They often turn into pests
and damage my crops.
This is sometimes the case. We want to see
what CAN be done without creating problems
for farmers.
Why is it my responsibility to look after the
land, the plants and animals that naturally
feed off it?
This comes back to farmers being the
custodians of the land. This carries rights…
and responsibilities.
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
INNOCENT
MANAGING
IRRIGATION FOR
STRAWBERRY GROWING
The Parque Nacional de Doñana is one of
Europe’s most important wetland nature
reserves, known for its huge variety of
permanent and migrating bird species
including geese, flamingoes and one of the
world’s largest colonies of Spanish imperial
eagles.
The area is also home to the largest
concentration of strawberry production in
Europe and the second largest in the world.
With cultivation dependent on irrigation,
farmers and the Doñana compete for the
same water. This places stress on the region,
so the aim is to find a long-term solution
that protects the wetlands and supports
agriculture.
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
We are now in the second season of
measuring and tracking water usage for
strawberry growing. Farmers record each
time they irrigate, from when the soil is
prepared in October through to the end of the
June harvest. Project partner, the University
of Cordoba, then takes this large volume of
data and calculates water usage. The results
are being used for the first time as a key input
for strategic decision making for the region.
We are also starting to compile Best Practice
Guidelines for farmers on optimising the
efficiency of water usage, using the data to
compare irrigation systems and management
techniques in order to identify the best
model.
The initiative has raised awareness of the
need to save water and while there has
been negativity in the region around water
due to complicated politics and the lack of
regional governance, the project is turning
this around. Other farmers want to know how
they can be involved and we are sharing key
learnings and best practice.
HOMER WORTH
CONTROLLING A PEST PROBLEM
WITH OWLS
In the southern tomato-growing region of
California, the terrain is typically dry desert
and flat, with low rainfall. The only plant
life natural to the habitat includes small
amounts of brush and occasional dry creeks
with a few trees. In general, this terrain is
used as intensive row crop growing.
Over the past ten years, Unilever and its
largest tomato grower, Homer Worth, have
recognised the value of biodiversity on the
farms and together installed 15 owl houses
in areas of limited tree density. As soon as
these boxes were installed owls moved in and
significant evidence of their feeding activity
has been found around the nesting sites.
Although it is unclear whether the owls have
reduced the amount of crops damaged by
mice and rats, the birds have no doubt helped
control the rodent population on site.
The owl houses consist of a large box with a
hole in the side facing east and mounted at
the top of a 10-foot long pipe. Each box costs
just $100 to install.
DAREGAL
FINDING SUSTAINABLE
VARIETIES OF BASIL
The Daregal biodiversity project aims to find
new sustainable varieties of basil whilst
preventing old ones from disappearing.
Many medicinal plants are still picked in the
wild. This can be a problem for endangered
species. So a key role of the CNPMAI is to
promote good harvesting practices.
The project team will research wild and
cultivated basil, testing for their aroma,
disease tolerance and commercial qualities.
Cultivating more resistant varieties will
minimise the use of pesticide. Maintaining
old varieties will preserve the existing
environment.
Another focus of the project is peppermint. A
local variety called Mitcham Milly was widely
cultivated in the 1950s but, as mint growing
declined, it almost disappeared. It is being
reintroduced by the CNPMAI and distributed
to interested growers.
The project is being led by Daregal in
cooperation with the Conservatoire National
de Plantes à parfum, médicinales et
aromatiques (CNPMAI).
Around 15,000 people visit the Daregal
growing areas each year, offering an
important opportunity to raise public
awareness of wild flora conservation.
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
MUFINDI
HELPING PROTECT A
GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY
HOT SPOT
The Lipton Tea Estate in south west Tanzania
is formed of over 300 small tea gardens in a
mosaic with 12,000 hectares of natural forest.
The Mufindi forest has been identified as part
of one of the world’s most valuable hot spots
for biodiversity and is home to many rare
species of birds, chameleon, frog, butterflies,
orchids and mistletoe.
The forest is important for the profitability
of the estate because the trees minimise
erosion on steep slopes. They also help
maintain the microclimate and water supply
needed by the crop, which is irrigated during
the dry season using harvested rainwater.
The farm and forest are surrounded by 15
villages with a population of about 150,000
people. The forest trees have been severely
depleted for firewood and building material.
Tea farmers know how to propagate trees, so
it made sense for the Lipton farm to partner
with the Tanzanian Forest Conservation
Group to help villages establish tree
nurseries and plant trees on their own farms.
These trees, when mature, will provide
supplies of firewood for cooking and heating,
and offer opportunities for agroforestry.
At the heart of the programme are
Village Natural Resource Committees
(VNRCs). These train villagers in skills
such as assessing forest disturbance and
understanding ecology. VNCRs also act as
a focus for village experimentation with
new stoves and improved cooking methods
developed to reduce the amount of wood fuel
used.
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
FRIGEMO
ESTABLISHING BREEDING GROUNDS
FOR BIRDS AND BEES
Frigemo is the biggest processor for frozen
and dried potatoes in Switzerland. All
farmers that supply Unilever are located
close to the processing unit in Cressier, an
area known as the “big vegetable garden” of
Switzerland.
By maintaining fallow land, hedges, flower
stripes, fruit trees and bird houses, farmers
have been successfully establishing habitats
suitable for storks, swallows, wild bees
and predator birds. They also leave “bird
windows” for larks and mow meadows to
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
take into account the breeding times of birds.
There has been a marked increase in the
prevalence of rabbits, dear, fox, larks, castor,
common pheasant, common quail, fire
salamander, slow worms and earth worms.
People living in cities are also encouraged to
visit the farms to learn about biodiversity and
agriculture in general.
STEINICKE
ENCOURAGING THE MIGRATION OF MAMMALS
Steinicke is one of Germany’s leading
producers of herbs and dried vegetables, as
well as a main supplier and strategic partner
to major brands in Europe and across the
world.
Steinicke farmers provide Unilever with
chives, parsley, carrots, celeriac and leeks.
The company has been working hard to help
Unilever on its path to sustainability.
to research the fauna and flora.
Crossing Steinicke`s farm lands are a
big-bird habitat, wild forest and a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve. In order to protect
these, farmers have adapted their cultivation
accordingly by mowing meadows only once
a year, not cropping on the wetlands of
rivers and planting hedges. Steinicke is also
supporting a local bat conservation project.
As one of the least populated regions in
Germany, the area of Wendland where
Steinicke and its farmers are located offers
ideal migration routes and habitats for
endangered species such as otter, beaver,
common crane and the common wolf which
has started to appear ,as a result of the fallen
border fences versus the East in 1989.
The farms include many forest areas which
are extensively used for forestry and farmers
are being encouraged to build nesting boxes
and bird hides in their fields. What’s more,
Steinicke organises local school groups to
monitor flower stripes on unproductive areas
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
NAHRENGEL
IMPROVING THE HABITATS OF BEES
Five family-run farms are located in an area
very close to the Dutch border. These supply
potatoes to Unilever.
While there is no formal biodiversity plan in
place for the region, all farmers are active
in supporting wildlife areas both within and
outside their farms. The farmhouses are
surrounded by old orchards and vegetable
gardens, but the focus is on maintaining
hedges and planting flower stripes on areas
that are not suitable for cropping due to steep
slopes or low fertility. The flower stripes are
used to improve the habitats for bees and
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
what NährEngel refer to as “the aesthetic of
agriculture”. As an added incentive, the local
beetroot association offers free flower stripe
seeds. NährEngel is also now looking into
the possibility of supporting Brown Owls and
Greylag Geese.
AGRAZ
CREATING ENVIRONMENTS FOR BIRDS AND BATS
Based in Spain’s Extremadura region, Agraz
works with 180 farmers to supply Knorr with
fully traceable products such as tomato paste
and powder, and diced tomatoes.
Agraz is running a number of biodiversity
initiatives, one of which is in conjunction with
SEO BirdLife who will advise on how to create
environments in which birds – such as the
white stork and black-shouldered kite – and
bats can thrive.
The project aims to increase certain species
of birds that have been in decline over recent
years and maintain those already present
as well as introduce insectivorous species
and bats, both of which may help to control
insects that attack the tomato plants.
To date seven nesting houses have been
installed for the Lesser Kestrel and the
European Roller, along with a bat refuge and
a further 15 boxes for other insectivorous
birds. A small lagoon has also been created
to increase the presence of amphibians and
dragonfly.
The project began in 2011 and will run until
2015. Two farmers have agreed to take part
in the trial and SEO BirdLife will monitor the
results.
SO WHAT DO I DO NOW?
REDUCE POLLUTION OF LAND AND
WATER BY:
•
Using inputs efficiently
•
Reducing spray –drift
•
Conserving soil
•
Protecting water
land and water use changes:
•
Assess impacts of land use changes
before you do them, such as combining
fields by removing trees.
•
STOP before it is too late if there are
negative impacts on biodiversity.
Ask questions
•
What is the local Biodiversity Action Plan
in your growing area? Start by looking at
the Convention for Biological Diversity
Website .
•
Are there grants available for farmers to
do biodiversity work?
•
Is there a local expert to talk to? A
manager of a local nature reserve,
officer with responsibility for BAP in
local government, national or local NGO
or charity interested in biodiversity?
•
Talk with your farmers and see if there
is biodiversity that they value on and
around their farms. What ideas do they
have to improve conservation?
further guidance
www.unilever.com/
www.unileversuppliers.com/
http://www.growingforthefuture.com/unileverimpguid/content/5-0
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
Ensure that your farmers
understand they must do
something positive, now
Farms near nature reserves:
What can you do to improve the
habitat within the reserve?
•
Address locally relevant issues that
make sense to your farmers and can
make a difference without becoming a
financial burden.
•
•
Identify unproductive land on farms,
take it out of cultivation and create mininature reserves:
• Near trees where shade prevents
good cultivation plant low-growing
bushes
• On steep slopes or where soil is
shallow
• On riverbanks where cultivation is
not permitted
• Grow wild flowers on the edges of
fields
Consider whether mowing meadows or
harvesting could be delayed a little until
ground nesting birds have hatched and
left the nest
• Or until wild flowers have set their
seed
•
Could harvest residues be left in the
field for longer to enable migratory birds
to use the area for feeding and resting
as they pass through?
need help?
If you need any help, support or advice please
contact your Unilever representative who can
put you in touch with a biodiversity expert.
• Put up poles for birds of prey to help
reduce rat population on farms
• Put up nest boxes for birds or bats to
increase their numbers
UNILEVER SUPPLIERS - A CLOSER LOOK AT BIODIVERSITY
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