EU feed industry needs to proactive and flexible
According to FEFAC President, Patrick Vanden Avenne, the EU feed industry needs to be more proactive and flexible if it is to be competitive. He claimed that reducing the backlog of GM import approvals and reauthorising the use of non-ruminant processed animal proteins for fish feed would be positive moves.
At the 55th annual general meeting of FEFAC, Vanden Avenne, said that in order to have competitive and sustainable livestock production, both within the EU and internationally, we need more proactive, flexible market management measures to maintain the viability of EU feed supply.
Referring to the current debate on “CAP” (Common Agricultural Policy) reform proposals’ goal of improving “resource efficiency” and competitiveness in European food production, Vanden Avenne stressed that “safe and balanced compound feed from competitive and sustainable sources is an essential prerequisite for the long term viability of EU livestock production”.
“In a situation of extremely volatile grain and protein markets, which negatively affects the EU’s livestock sector competiveness, the compound feed industry plays a crucial role in fully exploiting the nutritional potential of co-products from the food and biofuel industry, including former foodstuffs, provided they are safe for both animals and humans”, Vanden Avenne said.
He called on the European Commission to rapidly prolong the TRQ import duty suspension for wheat, while doubling efforts to reduce the increasing backlog of GMO import approvals, in order to send a clear signal to the market that the supply of competitive feedstuffs remains a top priority for the European Commission in order to safeguard EU livestock production.
He welcomed in particular the planned vote at EU Standing Committee level on the reauthorisation of non-ruminant processed animal proteins for fish feed. Stating that a “positive vote would pave the way for our EU aquaculture producers to step up their efforts to increase EU aquaculture production by creating a level playing field with seafood imports”. “EFSA has provided clear scientific evidence that n.r. PAPs are safe. They can help reduce the EU’s dependency on fishmeal imports thus contributing to the Common Fisheries Policy reform goals of pairing sustainable wild fisheries with the sustainable development of aquaculture”.
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