'The animal feed sector must learn to communicate'

The animal feed sector is somehow a traditional business, producing for a target group associated with environmental pollution. At the same time, the sector shows its ambition by aligning itself squarely with the climate goals. This message just needs to be communicated.

The annual conference of Nevedi (the trade association for the animal feed industry) on Thursday 10 November in Baarn was all about climate. With 'weather woman' Helga van Leur as moderator, this led to fascinating topics for discussion.

Communication problem
Pieter van Geel, chairman of the Agriculture Climate Table, was the first speaker to start off and complimented the sector for its stated ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas reductions. Instead of the agreed 3,5 megatons (the target from the Climate Agreement), the ambition is to achieve a reduction of 2030 megatons by 7.

He did conclude that the animal feed sector has a 'communication problem'. This is because the fact that residual flows from the food industry are converted into high-quality animal proteins is often unknown to the general public. According to him, this method fits seamlessly with the circular idea by Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality).

The second speaker Anke Hamminga-Hiemstra, commercial director of Cargill, started her argument that sustainability should also be good for the wallet. "Because, without earnings, no business model can survive." He also stated the sustainability goals that Cargill is pursuing. For example, the company wants to reduce deforestation for the production of feed raw materials to 0 and ensure sufficient food for everyone.

CO₂-Footprint meat
The panel discussion, with Henk Flipsen (Nevedi) and Bert Urlings (Vion) among others, focused on the CO₂-footprint of meat. According to Urlings, the CO₂-footprint of Dutch pork to the 10% lowest in the world, only this is not yet communicated to consumers. Urlings wants to point this out to consumers and is thinking, for example, of a sticker on the packaging.

According to Eurlings, the data to make this objective transparent is already available. Next year, Vion wants to start a pilot project in collaboration with the animal feed sector. Flipsen expects that providing insight into the CO₂-footprint of meat helps consumers in the purchasing decision.

Flipsen also believes that consumers should be given tools on which to base their purchase. Because where one consumer finds animal welfare most important, for another consumer the CO₂-footprint of meat.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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