Can regional or European livestock feed contribute to chain sustainability and a circular economy in agriculture? This was the main theme of the round table on 14 March at Agrifirm, involving stakeholders from the poultry, pig and dairy product chains, government agencies and science. They considered the issue of whether and how livestock feed containing raw materials of European origin could form part of socially accepted animal products on the shelves. An important national and international issue for both the market and society.

There is a clear trend in food processing and retail companies to organise more regional sourcing of their livestock feed raw materials. Parties within the chain have various motives for this. The preference for European raw materials mostly relates to the desire for non-GM chains. An often-mentioned argument is the aim to achieve a circular economy in the agricultural sector.

The parties came together at the initiative of Agrifirm, Natuur & Milieu (Nature & Environment) and Milieudefensie (Environmental Defence). Agrifirm published a ‘Livestock Feed of European Origin' Code in the spring of 2017 to give direction to the requirements for livestock feed from European raw materials. Click here for the Code ‘Livestock Feed of European Origin'.

Ruud Tijssens, Group Director Public & Cooperative Affairs Agrifirm: ‘Agrifirm is a pioneer, but we realise that securing European compound feed succeeds or fails with clear preconditions and a good controllable and securable system. A common conclusion from this round table discussion with stakeholders, is that a common ultimate goal namely sustainable agricultural systems should be the main focus. Only then you will be able to judge what you need to get there and how a stepwise regionalisation of compound feed could possibly contribute to that.'