Feed additives: A tool for sustainable animal production
The world’s population is increasing and by 2025 it will reach over 9 billion. The challenge the livestock industry faces is how to produce more sustainably whilst raising animals according to higher societal demands regarding animal health and environmental pressure. Feed additives can be a key tool in terms of sustainable development.
BY TECHNICAL AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT PHODÉ ANIMAL CARE N
ew eating habits, new demands, consumers are questioning agricultural production models. In 2017, for example, the petition to ban the use of glyphosate in Europe collected 1.3 million
signatures, which clearly demonstrates the growing interest of the population to better understand and contribute to the development of more respectful agricultural practices for the planet. At the same time, the world’s population is growing and will reach over 9 billion in 2025. The demand for protein is constantly increasing. The recent publication of the Green Pact is the latest European step towards sustainable agriculture. How can we produce enough sustainably? This is the new challenge for agriculture. From now on, it will be necessary to combine environmental, economic and societal performance. Reducing the carbon footprint, knowing the origin of prod- ucts, preserving consumer health, improving animal welfare, these are no longer just trends, but new areas of develop- ment for the animal production sector. By offering benefits in line with these expectations, feed additives are innovative solutions that will accompany tomorrow’s animal husbandry.
Sustainable production models The publication from last May about the Green Pact with its strategy ”from farm to fork” revealed an ambitious economic and ecological policy aimed at promoting the development of healthier food, a sustainable development for agriculture with a first milestone set for 2030. The strategy thus sets out
20 ▶ SUSTAINABILITY AND WELFARE | OCTOBER 2020
27 axes aimed at transforming the current food production system in the years to come, targeting the entire food chain from primary agricultural production to the final consumer. For the animal sectors, certain areas will have a direct impact
on practices, in particular: ● A reduction of at least 20% in the use of fertilisers, includ- ing environmental discharges from animal production
● A 50% reduction in sales of antimicrobials used in farmed animals and aquaculture
● 25% of agricultural land in organic farming (compared to 8% at present)
● Improvement of animal welfare in all stages of animal production, through regulations also covering the trans- port and slaughter of animals.
● The development of sustainable aquaculture ● A reduction in food waste (20% of food is currently thrown away in Europe)
Why do feed additives provide a solution to sustainable development? Europe is not alone in integrating this crucial issue of a grow- ing population with limited resources into its policy. It is a global challenge. Therefore, in view of these new economic policies and the increasingly pressing societal expectations, additives based on active ingredients and plant extracts will be one of the key tools for meeting tomorrow’s environmen- tal challenges and the societal expectations of consumers in
PHOTO: OLHA ROHULYA
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