German feed producers face many challenges

Germany’s pig feed especially showed good results with an increase of 1.7% nationally and of 6.5% in the northern regions of the country. Photo: Canva

The German production of animal feed showed a modest growth in 2024, after 2 years of decline

In the first 10 months of 2024, Germany’s feed industry produced 0.6% more mixed feed than the same period of the previous year. Pig feed especially showed good results with an increase of 1.7% nationally and of 6.5% in the northern regions of the country.

NEW YEAR BRINGS CHALLENGES FOR THE FEED SECTOR

Political – fall of government

However, the sector faces many challenges in the new year, the German organisation of feed producers Deutscher Verband Tiernahrung DVT says. “We’re looking sceptical at the future, any positive development will depend strongly on the political decisions. It’s mainly wait and see, while we try to bridge the coming uncertain times with business as normal,” DVT-spokesman Hermann-Josef Baaken says. He refers to the recent fall of the German government and the upcoming general elections in his country.

Deforestation regulations

One of the main challenges comes from Brussels in the form of the European Deforestation Regulation EUDR. The EU has recently decided to postpone the implementation of the new rules by 1 year untill January 1st, 2026. However, many open questions remain, Baaken says. The DVT also stresses that it´s environmental scope is much wider than just the EUDR. “The EUDR aims to protect against deforestation but all other important aspects of a sustainable development are overlooked while we in DVT and in the feed industry try to reach complete sustainability.”

16 criteria for sustainability

He continues: “We are working sector-wide on a concept for a universal assessment of the environmental side of livestock farming. Our 16 criteria offer a complete picture of the environmental impact, because just a CO₂ footprint does not suffice. The feed industry can, by supplying the data, help agriculture to complete their research into the value chain.”

Worldwide access to products & commodities

The German feed industry asks the new government to acknowledge agriculture and the necessity of production in Germany. Export of products should not be influenced by political motivated considerations. Baaken: “We need worldwide free access to products and commodities worldwide. We reject duties that will only lead to a shift in the flow of goods.”

As for the recent trade treaty between the EU and the South-American bloc Mercosur, DVT welcomes the outcome in which all parties agree on standards.

Sunday working rules in Germany

On a more national level, the DVP asks for more flexibility in the rules for working on Sundays in order to guarantee the supply of animal feed, a lessening of the administrative burden and the recognition of new technological developments to avoid a competitive disadvantage with countries that do already take such steps.