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The Product Board MVO operates in the following (main) spheres of work:
 Food and Health
Developments in the sphere of food policy and science are strictly monitored and put to the attention of oils and fats companies through newsletters, internet and meetings. MVO also voices the opinion of the oils and fats sector in deliberations with the Dutch authorities.
Food policy
European and Dutch authorities practice an active policy when it comes to food. MVO monitors developments, informs the companies about new policies and keeps up contacts with the authorities and organizations concerned.
Improvement of fatty acid composition
MVO initiates, stimulates and takes part in different types of company activities directed towards improving the fatty acid composition of foodstuffs.
Scientific research
The product board monitors developments and new insights concerning the relationship between fats and health. This knowledge is shared with the sector, and may give an impulse to product innovations.
Information Bureau
Consumers, food information specialists and professionals in both youth health care and education are actively made conscious about the role of oils and fats in a healthy diet via informational and educational projects. The Information Bureau for Margarine, Fats and Oils for this reason has started up several campaigns and publishes different kinds of information material (like factsheets).
Quality and Food Safety
The product board stimulates food safety in the entire production chain and operates as a mediator, platform and reference point for the companies. Deliberations are held with different types of parties about the implementation of quality systems. Initiatives and points of attention concerning food safety issues are introduced into deliberations with the authorities on behalf of the production chain.
Risk analyses
Risk analyses per product are drawn up in close cooperation with European and Dutch branch organizations. These analyses offer a clear overview of the locations in the chain of production and distribution where quality and safety risks for the product may arise, and of the measures companies have taken or can take to manage these risks.
Animal Fat Campaign
Together with the branch organization for animal fat producers VVS, MVO has set up an information campaign on the subject of animal fats. This campaign offers information on raw materials, production, processing, customers, companies and product applications.
Used Frying Oils
To provide for an answer to the many questions MVO received about used frying oils and fats which can no longer be used for frying, the product board has composed four factsheets which treat respectively the chain of processing, the companies which are active in this sector, the final destinations of the purified products and the applicable legislation.
Partnership Palm Oil
Producers and consumers want to receive a good quality palm oil from the producing countries so that it can be processed to and into safe products. In the Partnership Palm Oil the Netherlands cooperates with the producing countries Malaysia and Indonesia to achieve a higher quality level of both product and production process.
Trade Policy and Biotechnology
MVO is a supporter of an international trade in oilseeds, fats and oils which is hindered by as few as possible unnecessary obstacles. Since halfway the nineties this broad field of work comprises, apart from the traditional aspects of trade policy, also the discussions on modern biotechnology and the import barriers resulting from these.
Trade Policy
In the field of work of trade policy the Product Board operates as a centre of information for companies in the worldwide jungle of free trade agreements, preferential agreements, tariff suspensions and other tariff measures. Frequent newsletters allow companies to gain or keep an overview on both new markets and new competitors which may become of interest. Whenever necessary the trade interests of the MVO companies are brought to the attention of the authorities.
Biotechnology
Together with two other Product Boards MVO cooperates in the Project Group Biotechnology which has as its goal to provide companies, societal organizations, authorities and politics with up-to-date, factual information on genetically modified crops and food- and feedstuffs. Through deliberations with authorities and numerous societal organizations MVO contributes to societal debate and biotechnology policy. European and Dutch legislation which has consequences for day-to-day business practice always receives highest priority. Main issues are labeling and tracing, consumer freedom of choice, and consequences for world trade.
Sustainability
A sustainable oils and fats sector producing according to the consumer's wishes and at the same time capable of providing future generations with healthy and sustainable products. That is the main drive for MVO in its strive for a more sustainable production and distribution chain. This strive is aimed at four major topics.
Sustainable sourcing
MVO stimulates the sustainable production of raw materials for the Dutch oils and fats industry. To this end MVO informs Dutch companies about policy developments, developments concerning the Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Round Table for Responsible Soy (RTRS) and about opportunities for sustainable sourcing. MVO also facilitates deliberations in the sector and outside of it, for example with NGO's or the Dutch government. MVO is an active partner in the public private Partnership Palm Oil, in which the Indonesian, Malaysian and Dutch authorities cooperate in order to improve the palm oil production chain.
Sustainable business conduct
The Product Board coordinates the execution of the long-year agreements which have been signed with the authorities on behalf of the sector concerning energy saving (so-called MJA's). In the framework of the strive for sustainable development and responsible corporate governance attention is also directed towards emissions, environmentally friendly lubricants, water management and environmental reporting. This attention is given concrete form to via workshops, collective research and information about incentivizing regulations, and via deliberations with the authorities.
Biofuels
The high energetic value of vegetable and animal oils and fats makes these products very suitable for use as a biomass for the generation of heat and/or electricity and as a biofuel for road transport. From the viewpoint of sustainable development the product board commits itself to an optimal use of by-products from the oils and fats industry, pleads with the authorities to remove barriers to these applications and provides companies and authorities with all the relevant information.
Biobased economy
Apart from being a basis for food and feed, fats and proteins can also be a raw material for semi-manufactured products and other materials. The main advantages of these biobased raw materials are that they are renewable and that the products produced from them are often not or less toxic and bio-degradable. MVO stimulates research into and application of biobased production.
Market Research and Statistics
The Product Board collects, analyses and publishes statistical information on oils and fats in the Netherlands, the European Union and other (potentially) interesting consuming markets. The providing of information focuses on the commercial needs of the companies. Information is made available in different ways.
Quick scans, factsheets and competition analysis
Quick scans of foreign markets provide an overview of the oils and fats market in (potentially) interesting consuming markets. Factsheets sketch the situation for one specific oilseed, oil or fat. In the EU competition analysis companies get an impression of how the Netherlands is doing in other EU countries and in third countries in comparison to other EU countries.
Statistical Yearbook, trade and production data
Each year the Product Board offers an overview of the main data on production and trade and an analysis of the main developments in a specific year in the Statistical Yearbook (in Dutch). Apart from this, each month an overview of the Dutch import and export data (in Dutch) is published, and each quarter an overview of Dutch production data.
Databases prices and trade
Quick and accurate trade information (quantities and prices) can be found in two special databases. Only MVO companies have access to these databases.
Employee Issues
The product board informs employers and employees in the oils and fats sector about work related issues which are relevant to the industry, such as the development of sector employment and legislation concerning work circumstances.
Work circumstances legislation
Legislation on work circumstances mainly comprises regulations to guarantee a good and safe working environment to industry and office workers. Much can be found in European Directives, but these directives combined with national policies are reflected in the Dutch so-called Arbo law, Arbo decision and Arbo provision.
MVO is considering whether in the field of work circumstances points of attention in the oils and fats sector can be identified which have to be tackled with a common industry approach and will initiate necessary activities in this field.
Training and education
Employees in the oils and fats industry need basic knowledge of what it means to work in the food industry and specifically in the oils and fats industry. To this end MVO maintains the MVO Knowledge Centre (in Dutch) which has been developed in close cooperation with industry experts. Furthermore MVO works on projects aimed at amplifying employees' knowledge and at stimulating these employees to augment their employability. Examples are the modules for MBO and HBO education, procedures for Recognition of Acquired Competences (recognizing work experience value in a certificate or diploma) and an oils and fats course for managers.
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