Las Vegas, Nevada
April 22, 2009
Collaboration demonstrates company's commitment to
sustainability
Bayer CropScience LP
believes strongly in its commitment to protecting tomorrow today
through its sustainability efforts. Today, John Smith, director
of the Horticulture Region for Bayer CropScience, presented Tom
Lovelace, United Fresh
Produce Association (UFPA) chairman, with a $1.1 million
endowment over the next four years to create the Center for
Global Produce Sustainability during the opening session of the
2009 United Fresh Conference.
The Center for Global Produce Sustainability will bring a strong
focus to helping growers and food chain partners proactively
shape and influence the numerous developments driving enhanced
sustainability in the produce supply chain.
"In this particular market, understanding the views of the
entire food production supply chain is critical to producing
enough safe and affordable food for the ever-expanding world
while protecting and enhancing the environment for the future,"
said Smith during his remarks. "We cannot achieve our goal
alone, which is why this Center will focus on enhancing
relationships between fruit and vegetable growers, the food
chain and research partners in the U.S. and globally to ensure
meaningful dialogue and advances with regard to sustainability."
The Center for Global Produce Sustainability will be housed
within the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation. An
Advisory Board consisting of leaders from across the fruit and
vegetable production chain and allied partners will be appointed
to provide leadership and direction to its efforts.
"UFPA is honored to collaborate with Bayer CropScience on the
Center for Global Produce Sustainability," said Tom Lovelace,
UFPA chairman. "Today there is a growing commitment to
sustainability throughout our industry, but many different needs
for education and guidance along the supply chain. This Center
will allow us to strengthen the voice of our members from
growers through the entire food chain to retail and food
service, and ensure that future programs meet their needs."
In the coming year, the Center will enhance its strategic work
with allied partners in the areas of sustainability, focus on
implementing its Advisory Board, develop a strategic vision on
how it can best serve the fresh produce supply chain, create and
publicize the Center's goals and strategic views on
sustainability, conduct outreach to key stakeholders, develop a
Web site to exchange information and conduct a baseline survey
of needs in the industry.
Building on year one, year two will focus on the development of
innovation initiatives that bring sustainable benefits to the
grower and supply chain partner.
"We all play a large role in the production of food, and by
working even more collaboratively, we can improve the
sustainability and viability of our tremendously productive
farming operations while protecting our world for future
generations," said Smith in his closing comments. "We have the
power to make a difference."
More information on the Center will be shared in the future. To
learn more about this initiative, visit
www.BayerCropScienceUS.com.
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the
fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer
CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of
about EUR 6.4 billion (2008), is one of the world's leading
innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop
protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant
biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of
products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable
agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer
CropScience has a global workforce of more than 18,000 and is
represented in more than 120 countries.
In the context of its responsibility to the environment and
society, Bayer CropScience has dedicated itself to harmonizing
economic, social and ecological needs. The company's efforts are
focused on projects to promote the education of young people in
the natural sciences and technology, to strengthen sustainable
and resource-efficient agriculture, to ensure safe use of its
products and to help people in disadvantaged rural areas in its
core fields of expertise.
United Fresh Produce Association is the pre-eminent trade
association for the produce industry in managing critical public
policy issues; shaping legislative and regulatory action;
providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety,
quality assurance, nutrition and health; and developing
educational programs and business opportunities for members to
better meet consumer needs for increased consumption of fresh
produce. Founded in 1904, United Fresh represents the interests
of member companies from small family businesses to the largest
international corporations throughout the global fresh produce
supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors,
wholesalers, distributors, retailers, food service operators,
industry suppliers and allied associations. The United Fresh
Research & Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization that offers specialized programs in educational
training, leadership development, food safety outreach and
research. Foundation programs are designed to enhance the
industry's ability to provide healthy, safe and affordable fresh
fruits and vegetables to consumers around the world. The
Foundation is an affiliate organization of the United Fresh
Produce Association. For more information, visit
www.unitedfresh.org.
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