Minister does not understand the circularity of animal feed imports

The realization plan for the transition to circular agriculture by Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) means a shrinkage of the protein share in the import of animal feed. Henk Flipsen, the chairman of Nevedi, points out, however, that the majority of imported animal feed already consists of residual flows that contribute to a circular food chain.

The latest edition of the Raw Materials Guide from the advocate Nevedi states which part of the animal feed used is also suitable for human consumption. This is only a small part. The vast majority are by-products (soy meal) and basic raw materials (feed grains) that are not suitable for human consumption. Thanks to pig farming, however, it does provide valuable food for humans: pork.

In the realization plan However, the ministry says that the European Union depends on imports for about 75% of its needs for vegetable proteins. The majority of this is then used for animal feed, in order to produce animal proteins. This situation is not sustainable, given the high demand for vegetable protein in the world. That is why we need to grow more protein-rich crops in the Netherlands (and in Europe) and develop alternative protein sources and technologies. It is also desirable that cultivation becomes more economically attractive.

Increase the share of residual flows
Flipsen says that the ministry talks about the protein share in the total animal feed import, where the Raw Materials Guide is based on the total volume of imported animal feed (both the protein share and the energy share). Incidentally, Nevedi agrees with Minister Schouten that the focus will be on the minimal footprint and the development of alternative protein sources. "Now that we are working on the transition towards a more sustainable and more circular food system, the animal feed sector is motivated to respond to this with innovative feed concepts. We are therefore actively committed to making raw materials more sustainable and will calculate and visualize the footprint (including the output in meat and dairy).

"The animal feed sector is also exploring the possibilities for more regionally grown protein crops and a further broadening of the use of co-products from the food industry," Flipsen says. "With specific amino acids and different raw material compositions, animal feed is further optimized for the reduction of methane, nitrogen and phosphate. The health of the animal and the production of safe feed are always paramount."

The ministry, the Producers Organization for Livestock Farming (POV) and Nevedi all believe that the share of residual flows in animal feed should be increased and that the import of animal feed that is also suitable for human consumption should be limited. Scientists have been campaigning for the reintroduction of offal flows for years, and now the POV has also changed tack. Schouten announces in the realization plan that this will be legally possible.

New techniques should also minimize the risk of reusing offal. Minister Schouten also expects a lot from potato protein, insects and seaweed as an alternative to the import of protein-rich animal feed.

25% shrinkage?
Wageningen Economic Research outlined in a winter study that the animal feed industry must take into account a 25% contraction. "We are taking into account a drop in turnover in the Netherlands, especially if the livestock is further reduced," says Flipsen. He assumes that a natural redundancy of staff can partly compensate for the possible loss of turnover. The ongoing automation and digitization of the production process is also compensating for the consequences.

On the other hand, the transition to circular agriculture creates employment. "There is currently a need for skilled personnel and knowledge development (for the production of alternative protein sources and the development of synthetic amino acids), although I do say that some alternatives are presented very nicely. The import of high-quality soy has a lower footprint , than the European protein crops. I repeat once again that we are going to calculate and expressly visualize these effects."

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.