Fefac: Feed sector should embrace UN goals

In Major’s preface in the annual report of Fefac, he addresses that the contribution the livestock sector can make to all 17 UN Sustainable Development goals has already been outlined by the FAO, and the feed industry can and should play its part. The goals were set in September 2015, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. For the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and consumers.

Major: ”When the word ‘sustainability’ is used, climate action is the goal that will spring to mind for most people. But in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2020 discussions, I would also like to point to the first goal (no poverty), making clear that decent farm incomes are the foundation for all of the other goals. Livestock farming, so often at the heart of the rural economy, needs to be a commercially viable profession to allow for the delivery on targets related to natural resources and European farmers need to be competitive if society expects them to invest in and provide environmental services.”

Innovative feed solutions

According to the president, the feed industry is eager to present its innovative feed solutions that allow livestock farmers to meet the societal challenges that are laid before them. “Enhanced farm biosecurity and animal nutrition strategies can contribute to the reduction of AMR at farm level through sustained animal health. Improved environmental performance in animal production through resource efficient use of feed can allow livestock farmers to lower their costs and environmental footprint, a clear “win-win”-outcome”.

Manage financial risk

However, Major addresses, “The CAP does need to create an environment where livestock farmers are in a position to invest in the future of their business and not just struggle to survive. Livestock farmers should have the possibility to manage their financial risk and be able to have access to competitive, safe and sustainable feed, which is dependent on the predictability of a science-based legal framework and the unconditional access to feed materials on the internal and global market.”

Nick Major: “The feed industry is eager to present its innovative feed solutions that allow livestock farmers to meet the societal challenges that are laid before them.” Photo: Fefac

Nick Major succeeds Ruud Tijssens and was elected as the new president for the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (Fefac) at the recently held XXVIII FEFAC Congress in Cordoba, Spain. He has been elected for a period of three years. Major (UK) is a graduate in Agricultural Technology and is the corporate affairs director for ForFarmers Group, the market leading feed company in Europe. He is also chairman of AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation) and currently chairs the technical secretariat of the FEFAC-led Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) pilot on feed in the context of the European Commission initiative for a single market of green products. Ruud Tijssens will still be part of the FEFAC Praesidium as one of the vice-presidents.