Improving the sustainability of animal farming


As the world’s population grows, demand for animal protein will continue to rise. To meet this demand sustainably, within planetary limits, will be a big challenge. Do you think it’s an impossible challenge? We don’t.


BY DAVID NICKELL, VP SUSTAINABILITY AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AND CARLOS SAVIANI, GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY LEAD


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The six key sustainability platforms cover everything from reducing the dependancy on marine resources to reducing waste and food loss.


SM has been working for decades on sustainabili- ty, – it’s the basis of our purpose. DSM strongly be- lieves in balanced, healthy nutrition with animal proteins being a highly nutritious and key part of a


balanced, healthy diet. However, like other forms of food pro- duction livestock farming comes at a cost. This cost is increas- ingly evident, and is highly nuanced depending on farming methods, geography and animal species. Nevertheless, the sustainability of mainstream animal production is under in- creasing scrutiny from the investors, policy makers and con- sumers. This means that continuing to operate as we have done in the past is not an option. All players involved in the production of animal protein must be aware of the challeng- es we are facing and we should work together to solve them And we have seen several examples around the world show- ing that it is possible, that it can be done. Today, we’re working with everyone – from scientists and business partners, to the World Food Programme and WBCSD – to make this happen


and fulfil five of the UN’s most important Sustainable Devel- opment Goals. This involves, among other things, increasing the sustainability, quality and nutritional content of food – and also of animal feed. Feed is responsible from 50% to 80% of the environmental footprints of animal proteins, similar to the weight it has on the cost of production, and it also plays a critical role in producing health animals and in generating animal proteins with high nutritional value and quality.


Diverse and sustainable animal proteins The need to provide enough animal protein for a growing population, while reducing the environmental costs of farm- ing will require smart science and innovative solutions. To address this challenge, DSM Animal Nutrition and Health has launched its cutting edge new strategic initiative: We Make it Possible. Its mission is to lead and help the industry to build a robust and achievable transformation worldwide in animal protein production sustainability, and to accelerate solutions that will foster a brighter future for everyone. A win-win for feed producers, farmers, processors, retailers, consumers and our future generations. It’s based on addressing six key sustainability platforms:


Helping tackle anti-microbial resistance: Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) poses a major societal health threat. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human medicine and an- imal production are two of the main reasons for the rise in AMR. Through smart nutrition, DSM’s eubiotics solutions sup- port a healthy animal that helps to minimise the sub-thera- peutic use of antibiotics and can also lead to the replacement of antibiotics for growth promotion, thereby reducing the spread of AMR. Balancius for instance consistently improves feed conversion by 3% in broilers and average weight gain by 4-6%, thereby lessening the need for AGPs and supporting sustainable poultry production.


Reducing our reliance on marine resources: Currently, 76% of the worlds’ fisheries are either depleted or over-exploit- ed so aquaculture plays a critical role now and in the future. But aquaculture growth is heavily dependent on finite marine re- sources for fish feed, particularly omega-3 EPA and DHA found in fish oil. DSM formed a JV with Evonik to address this issue. Veramaris produces highly concentrated algal omega-3 EPA


42 ▶ SUSTAINABILITY AND WELFARE | OCTOBER 2020


PHOTO: DSM


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