Green Pages Feed Trade Topics from the Island of Ireland


NIGTA: THE DAYS OF FRICTIONLESS TRADE ARE OVER The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) is claiming that the new Brexit trade deal (Trade and Co-operation Agreement) will create a number of new challenges for feed compounders in Northern Ireland, specifically where grain imports from the rest of the UK are concerned. The organisation’s chief executive Robin Irvine points out that - of


the promised frictionless trade based on no tariffs, no customs and no inspections - only the removal of tariffs has been delivered. According to Irvine, the result is a unique and unpredictable outcome


for Northern Ireland. He added: “The threat of a £90 per tonne tariff on around half


a million tonnes of wheat and barley from GB would have severely impacted our livestock sector. Thankfully, the tariffs have been avoided. But declarations, checks and inspections will add significantly to the cost of trading goods by road freight with the UK mainland. “Uncertainty remains around the sourcing of grains from other


third country regions where these had been subject to favourable EU tariff rate quotas, which may no longer be available to Northern Ireland importers. Goods sourced from such origins will be classed as goods at risk, incurring full EU duty rates on arrival, and no rebate system has yet been tabled to recover duty when such goods are consumed in Northern Ireland.” The NIGTA chief executive concluded: “The challenge for the


Northern Ireland executive will be to deliver effective policies and supports that will allow local businesses to make the best of the challenges and opportunities presented through the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol.”


IGFA REPORT SHOWS DOWNWARD TREND IN CRUDE PROTEIN LEVELS Animal feed companies throughout the Republic of Ireland have been participating in a survey of crude protein levels in feed rations to provide accurate information on current practices. Crude protein intakes in excess of animal requirements for optimal health and production can be associated with increased greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions. The survey, coordinated and managed by the Department of


Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA), provided the opportunity to collect and collate reliable data on weighted average protein levels in feed and look at trends since 2015. The final report highlights the high response rate to the survey, representing 80% of overall national feed production and giving an accurate picture of current protein levels in livestock rations. The results show that average crude protein content of dairy, beef,


pig and poultry feed for 2019 was 16.3%, 14.9%, 16.7% and 18.1%, respectively. It concludes that overall protein levels have been following a positive environmental downward trend since 2015. The biggest reduction has been in pig feed, with an overall reduction of 3.5% over this period.


PAGE 28 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 FEED COMPOUNDER Commenting on the report, Maeve Whyte, IGFA Environment


Adviser, said: “Irish feed manufacturers and their advisers have been encouraging customers to reduce protein levels where possible for years and these results show that our message is filtering through. We constantly work in partnership with farmers to ensure that the needs of the animal and environmental concerns are considered. Higher protein levels are sometimes needed, depending on the quality of the grass available and the age of the animal. This is why we continue to encourage farmers to discuss their feed options with their feed suppliers.” She added: “It is positive to see the downward trend in crude protein


levels and now industry stakeholders need to consider what more can be achieved as we journey towards optimising dietary balance whilst minimising environmental impact. The report is an excellent resource for all to use when discussing protein content in Irish feedstuffs. It contains invaluable information for all our members so they can continue to exercise best management practices in terms of diet and the environment.”


IRISH AGRICULTURE TO BE ‘CLIMATE NEUTRAL’ BY 2050 Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., has launched a national climate and air roadmap for the agriculture sector entitled ‘Ag Climatise.’ The roadmap sets an ambitious vision for a ‘climate-neutral


agriculture sector by 2050.’ It includes 29 actions with specific and challenging targets aimed at reducing the environmental footprint and further building on the strong credentials of Irish agriculture. One of the key action points within the new strategy is reducing


the crude protein content of livestock feedstuffs to minimise ammonia loss. Specifically, the average levels of crude protein in pig feeds will be reduced to 16%. Apart from some limited situations where nutritional science indicates that animals have higher protein requirements, the levels of crude protein in feeds for grazing ruminants will be reduced to a maximum of 15%. Where practical, feed manufacturers and co-operatives should


increase the content of native grains and proteins in compound rations. Moreover, these rations should be labelled accordingly. Over the coming years, Irish agriculture will continue to invest in


novel feed additives to reduce biogenic methane. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will support research into diet quality and use of novel feed additive in pasture-based production systems to reduce methane emissions. The farming industry, along with Ireland’s agri-research community,


will be expected to commercialise the use of feed additives, while taking full account of their safety profile at all times. Ag Climatise also recognises the need to increase the proportion of


home-grown protein in Irish livestock rations. According to the roadmap, the livestock sector in Ireland is over-reliant on imported feed. Therefore, it must take steps to increase the proportion of native grains and legumes in livestock rations. This will further strengthen the Irish agri sector’s


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