FEFAC welcomes the EU Protein Plan and Livestock Strategy, Reaffirms commitment to a resilient European feed system
The European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) welcomes the European Commission’s adoption of the EU Protein Plan and the EU Livestock Strategy, as well as the very detailed and concrete actions list, describing the package as a timely and constructive response to the strategic vulnerabilities facing Europe’s feed and food chains. The Protein Plan, which has the most focus on feed, sets out a community-wide benchmark to lift the share of EU-grown oilseeds and protein crops used in domestic feed to 35% by 2035, up from around a quarter today, alongside measures to support farmers, strengthen protein crop value chains and diversify import sources. FEFAC notes that the sector’s exposure runs wider than protein crops alone, as Europe remains even more import-dependent on essential feed additives such as vitamins and amino acids, with a small number of non-EU suppliers accounting for an outsized share of global capacity.
The adoption of the European Commission Action Plans takes place in the background of field visits hosted jointly by FEFAC, FEFANA, DVT and EUROFAC on 6 July, during which European Commissioner for Agriculture & Food, Mr Christophe Hansen, toured two feed industry sites: the DSM-Firmenich vitamin production facility in Grenzach (Germany) and the LORIAL feed mill in Molsheim (France). The visit gave the Commissioner a first-hand view of both the industrial complexity of feed additive production and the practical steps the sector is already taking to diversify protein sourcing through amino acid-based formulation. The DSM-Firmenich’s vitamin production visit underscores why feed additive supply deserves the same strategic attention as protein crops, while LORIAL’s amino acid-based feed formulation shows how reformulation can already reduce dependence on imported soy without compromising animal nutrition or farmer competitiveness.
“We strongly welcome the launch of the EU Protein Plan and support the development of the new EU Livestock Strategy. EU feed manufacturers have long been committed to making the best possible use of locally available vegetable protein sources. At the same time, we must recognise that the EU will continue to rely on imports of high-protein soy from third countries in the years ahead. It is therefore essential to maintain the production of biodiesel and bioethanol, as these sectors provide valuable high-protein vegetable feed co-products, including rapeseed meal, sunflower meal, maize products and other cereal-based feed materials. Feed suppliers are key drivers of both the competitiveness and sustainability of Europe’s livestock sector, and we welcome targeted measures in the future Livestock Strategy that encourage farmers to adopt low-footprint, circular feed solutions.”
Looking ahead, FEFAC reiterates its readiness to contribute to the implementation of the Protein Plan and the Livestock Strategy, including through the forthcoming EU protein dialogues with Member States, and to support the research, innovation and investment needed to scale up EU-sourced feed inputs across both supply and demand.