Interview: Cemalettin Kanaş
Joerg Seifert, Secretary General of FEFANA, emphasizes the importance of maintaining competitiveness of the European feed industry. Founded in 1963 and based in Brussels, FEFANA facilitates dialogue between EU institutions and feed business operators, promoting feed and food safety and fostering a fair and competitive market. Seifert also encourages feed industry stakeholders to continue advancing their efforts to enhance product safety, animal nutritional benefits, and sustainability, through ongoing feed science research and innovation.
Joerg Seifert
Secretary General of FEFANA
In an exclusive interview with Feed Planet, Joerg Seifert, Secretary General of FEFANA, talked about the importance of the new EU Vision for Agriculture and Food to shape the future of farming and food in Europe and how the specialty feed ingredients industry contributes to support sustainable farming practices. “We need a modernized, predictable and streamlined EU regulatory framework for faster introduction of innovative feed additives” Seifert explains while also stressing the need for EU policies to strengthen EU industrial competitiveness.
Seifert also explains about the recently imposed EU anti-dumping duties on lysine imports from China, and their impact on the feed and food chain in terms of increasing production costs. “FEFANA will continue to strive for a fair and competitive market as well as for the supply of innovative, safe and cost-effective specialty feed ingredients to assure food security, animal health and welfare” Seifert points out. It is important to recognize different interests and positions across the industry as well as the concerns expressed by European feed manufacturers, farmers and other chain operators.
Can we get to know you first? What is your role at FEFANA?
I am Joerg Seifert, Secretary General of FEFANA, the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures. I am responsible for the effective management of the affairs of the association including representing the interests of the FEFANA membership towards EU institutions and other stakeholders, supporting our Members, ensuring effective and efficient administration and providing leadership to the FEFANA staff team.
FEFANA: OVER 60 YEARS OF DRIVING INNOVATION AND SAFETY IN FEED
Can you briefly introduce FEFANA and its mission in the feed industry? What kind of collaborations or partnerships does FEFANA engage in to advance the industry?
Based in Brussels, FEFANA facilitates the dialogue between EU institutions and feed business operators while promoting feed and food safety and a fair and competitive market.
Created in 1963, FEFANA has developed during over 60 years a strong base and extended outreach to serve the industry in many fields related to EU policy, legislation, market access beyond EU, and, last but not least, stimulating research and innovation. The association can rely on an exceptional network of committed member companies and people providing outstanding scientific and regulatory knowledge and know-how.
FEFANA also interacts with many other sectors of the feed and food chain, aiming to ensure that compound feeders, farmers, regulatory and control authorities, consumers, research organisations, and others are correctly informed about the use, safety and benefits of specialty feed ingredients.
TARIFFS ON CHINESE LYSINE: A THREAT TO EU FEED COMPETITIVENESS
The European Commission recently imposed anti-dumping duties on lysine imports from China, raising concerns within the EU feed industry. What is your perspective on this decision and its potential impact on the feed additives sector?
The EU has responded to an anti-dumping complaint filed by a European lysine producer, imposing tariffs on approximately 58 percent to 85 percent on Chinese lysine exports. The European producer can only supply a fraction of the domestic market. The introduced protective tariffs have the effect of making lysine more expensive for the feed chain, which leads to increasing production costs, e.g. for pork. At this point in time, the imposed duties are provisional while the European Commission considers to adopt definitive measures in July 2025.
FEFANA stands for a fair and competitive market as well as for the supply of innovative, safe and cost-effective specialty feed ingredients to assure food security, animal health and welfare. We recognise the different interests and positions across the industry in the current EU anti-dumping debate as well as the concerns expressed by European feed manufacturers, farmers and other chain operators.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EU AGRICULTURE WITH SPECIALTY FEED INGREDIENTS
The EU Commission has recently unveiled its Vision for Agriculture and Food, aiming to strengthen competitiveness while maintaining sustainability. What role do feed additives play in achieving this balance, and how does FEFANA view this roadmap?
FEFANA supports the new EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, aimed at shaping the future of farming and food in Europe by 2040. The Vision rightly recognises the strategic value of the agri-food sector, the need to strengthen its competitiveness, and ensure long-term growth and innovation. I hope this vision is now put into action, at a time when the sector needs all the support it can get, and FEFANA is ready and willing to work with policymakers towards achieving these goals for the mutual benefit of industry and society.
The use of specialty feed ingredients (SFIs) can contribute to more resource-efficient farming, for instance by making it possible to reduce the total amount of feed needed by farm animals in order to meet their nutritional requirement. SFIs can also promote a better use of agricultural and industrial co- and by-products in feed, hence contributing to a more circular economy. This allows limiting the land needed to grow animal feed, hence lowering the environmental impact of livestock production. More recently, a surge in innovative SFIs, specifically targeted to directly curb environmental emissions such as methane, has further underlined the crucial role of SFIs in limiting the environmental impact of livestock production.
CAN THE EU CUT RED TAPE AND SPEED UP FEED INNOVATION?
How do you evaluate the current regulatory framework for feed additives in Europe? Are there recent developments posing challenges or opportunities?
FEFANA advocates for legal requirements for feed additives in the EU to support the faster introduction of innovative products, address future challenges, and align with societal goals like sustainable food production and reduced emissions from animal farming. The association also promotes fair competition and a modern, holistic approach to evaluating feed additives.
The modernization of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 began with an evaluation completed in 2020, and the report was released in February 2024. The evaluation shows that the regulation has generally worked well, protecting human and animal health and the environment, but highlights areas for improvement, particularly in fostering innovation and sustainability in livestock farming. This aligns with the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy, which calls for revisions to reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming and facilitate the market entry of sustainable feed additives.
The evaluation identifies several topics for the upcoming revision, including simplifying authorization procedures, extending authorization periods for some additives, and harmonizing rules for imported and exported feed additives. FEFANA has contributed to these discussions, stressing that the current EU authorization process is overly time-consuming and hinders innovation. Additionally, the 10-year authorization period is inconsistent with other EU food laws and could limit access to safe, generic additives. FEFANA also advocates for modernizing labeling requirements to align with digitalisation goals and calls for provisions on feed additives in drinking water and harmonized export conditions.
SAFETY, NUTRITION, AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE PILLARS OF FEED INNOVATION
FEFANA highlights three key benefits of specialty feed ingredients: safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How do these pillars guide the industry’s innovations?
In the feed additive industry, safety, nutrition, and sustainability are central pillars that drive innovation, shaping the development of new products and solutions.
Safety is a top priority as feed additives are directly consumed by livestock, and any harmful ingredients can impact animal health, human consumers, and the environment. This focus on safety has led to stringent regulations and advancements in ingredient testing, formulation, and production techniques. Companies are investing in technologies to ensure that feed additives meet safety standards and are free from harmful contaminants.
Nutrition is another guiding factor. As the global demand for animal products grows, the need for efficient, cost-effective feed solutions becomes essential. Innovations in feed additives are driven by the desire to improve animal health, growth, and productivity. Advanced additives, such as probiotics, enzymes, and amino acids, are designed to enhance nutrient absorption, boost immunity, and promote overall animal welfare, which, in turn, increases the profitability of farming operations.
Sustainability is increasingly influencing the feed additive industry, driven by both environmental concerns and consumer demand for more sustainable practices. Feed additives can reduce the environmental impact of animal farming by improving feed efficiency, minimizing waste, and reducing methane emissions. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on using renewable, plant-based ingredients and alternative sources like algae or insect proteins to replace traditional animal-derived products, promoting a more sustainable food production system.
Together, safety, nutrition, and sustainability form a dynamic framework that ensures innovation in the feed additive industry is both responsible and forward-thinking, catering to the evolving demands of the global food system.
SPECIALTY INGREDIENTS ARE OPTIMIZING FEED EFFICIENCY
Can you share examples of innovative feed additives that improve efficiency or reduce environmental impact?
Specialty feed ingredients are used to optimise feed formulations for animals on-farm, in aquaculture and for pets. They enable more efficient and sustainable feed, contributing to better animal rearing through reduced use of resources, less waste, fewer emissions and/or by helping to maintain animals in good health and/or to optimise their welfare.
Feed additives support animals’ defences against biological stressors, such as pathogenic micro-organisms, and other environmental stressors and they also stabilise the intestinal flora. This is particularly important for farming animals transitioning to a different production stage, e.g. suckling pigs to fattening pigs. Maintaining animals in optimal health and, thus, with higher resilience to stressors can prevent or limit the need for veterinary treatments limiting the use of antimicrobials to cure disease. With regard to the food chain, specialty feed ingredients are essential for creating safe and high-quality animal products.
Feed, including pet food, must be sustainably sourced, wholesome, safe and nutritious. Specialty feed ingredients add nutritional value, zootechnical benefits, texture, flavour, and/or preserve the wholesomeness, composition, quality and safety of feed.
How does FEFANA support research and innovation in the sector?
For additives to reach their full potential, a regulatory framework that encourages research and development in this area while also enabling fair competition in the marketplace is essential. With this in mind, FEFANA strives to facilitate dialogue between the industry and key decision-makers, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Member States’ authorities. We promote, defend and represent the common and general interests of our members to policymakers, with the ultimate goal of policies enhancing and not undermining the industry’s ability to be competitive and innovative.
PROBIOTICS AND PHYTOGENICS ARE TRANSFORMING ANIMAL CARE
With the reduction of antibiotic use in livestock, how are feed additives helping to maintain productivity and health?
Feed additives are pivotal contributors to ensuring adequate nutrition and/or optimal animal welfare including support of animals’ defences against, for example, biological stressors.
For instance, probiotics and prebiotics support a healthy gut microbiota, enhancing digestion and immune function while reducing the likelihood of harmful bacteria overgrowth. Enzymes improve the breakdown of complex feed ingredients, boosting nutrient absorption and feed efficiency, which helps animals grow at optimal rates. Organic acids lower the pH in the gut, creating an environment that inhibits pathogens, while phytogenics, derived from plants, offer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that support digestion and immunity. Additionally, vitamins, minerals, and immune modulators help bolster the animals’ resistance to diseases and optimize metabolic processes, improving overall health. Mycotoxin binders prevent the harmful effects of mold toxins in feed, and alternative antimicrobials, like certain essential oils, help manage bacterial growth without contributing to antibiotic resistance. These additives collectively ensure animals are healthy, efficient, and productive, even in the absence of antibiotics.
I invite you to watch a short video we compiled here explaining how SFIs help in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE EU FEED INDUSTRY?
What message would you like to convey to stakeholders in the feed industry regarding the future of feed additives?
My message to feed industry stakeholders is continue the work you are doing to improve the safety, animal nutritional benefits and sustainability of your products, conducting feed science research and innovating. And if you are not currently a member of FEFANA, please do get in touch.
Specialty feed ingredients will continue to contribute to the efficient use of raw materials needed to cover animals’ dietary requirements. Sustainable farmers require specialty feed ingredients that contribute to an improved feed conversion ratio for a more efficient use of land, water and energy. Raising farm animals to feed a world population requires specialty animal feed. And their need will only grow along with our populations.