Remonstrative Letter to WWF by the „Deutscher Naturschutzring“ (DNR)

Apr 7, 2011

The umbrella organization of all German environmental associations, the "Deutscher Naturschutzring" (DNR) prompts the environmental protection foundation WWF in a open letter of protest to leave the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) immediately.

This secures the profit of companies like Montesano and BP."

The umbrella organization of all German environmental associations, the "Deutscher Naturschutzring" (DNR) prompts the environmental protection foundation WWF in a open letter of protest to leave the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) immediately. According to DNR, it is not acceptable to associate soy with "sustainability" and that the WWF "protects a failed system of agriculture and secures the profit of companies like Montesano and BP."

Besides that, DNR criticizes harshly the fact that "WWF plays the key role in the RTRS system" and that "WWF international blesses GM soya [...] protects narrow business interests and not people and the environment." The DNR cautions that if the WWF refuse to withdraw the RTRS "sooner or later the reputation of WWF international as an environmental organisation will be affected or perhaps ruined on the long run."
Similar controversies can be noticed in WWF's "Better Cotton Initiative" - another false labeling in cooperation with the industry.

DNR refers to a new survey called "GMsoy. Sustainable? Responsible?" by nine acknowledged academics which condemns genetically modified soy. Soy monocultures already take up about 45 million hectare in South America and do not only destroy rainforest and savanna territory but also the residents' livelihood and health.

Rainforest Foundation requests an immediate stop of soy imports from South America. The soy Label RTRS is an example of greenwashing and misleads the consumer. WWF cannot take part in such fraudulent actions.