Welfare of Animals in the Global Soy Supply Chain

Soy cultivation drives deforestation across South America, destroying habitat for jaguars, tapirs, giant anteaters, and countless other species with profound welfare consequences.

Key Facts

Brazil and Argentina produce over 60% of global soy, much of it on recently deforested land
An estimated 1.4 million km² of South American Cerrado has been converted to soy agriculture since 1985
Animals in deforested areas face direct mortality from clearing machinery, fragmentation, and loss of food sources
The majority of global soy production goes into animal feed — particularly for poultry, pig, and aquaculture production
RTRS (Round Table on Responsible Soy) certification covers only a fraction of global soy supply

Welfare Considerations

The global soy supply chain connects consumer food choices to wildlife welfare in ways that are largely invisible. Most people do not eat soy directly, but the meat, dairy, and aquaculture products they consume are produced by animals fed on soy from deforested South American land. Every jaguar losing habitat to soy expansion, every giant anteater killed by burning or machinery during land clearing, bears a welfare cost traceable to the global feed system. Reducing animal product consumption and choosing certified soy-sourced products are among the most direct ways to reduce this harm.

What You Can Do

Reduce consumption of animal products that rely on soy-intensive feed systems
Choose products certified under responsible soy sourcing standards
Advocate for mandatory deforestation-free soy sourcing in animal feed supply chains
Support organizations working to protect Cerrado and Amazon habitat from soy-driven conversion