Europe’s feed industry is calling for a dedicated EU Protein Plan and stronger safeguards for feed supply chains, warning that dependence on imported proteins and feed additives could undermine food security. The recommendations come as policymakers prepare to unveil the EU Livestock Strategy and EU Protein Plan 2026.

The European feed industry has urged policymakers to place feed and protein supply security at the center of the upcoming EU Livestock Strategy and EU Protein Plan 2026, highlighting continued dependence on imported raw materials and key feed inputs.

In recommendations released during the 31st FEFAC Congress in Bucharest, the federation outlined four priorities: strengthening food security and competitiveness, accelerating feed efficiency and innovation, supporting investment across the livestock value chain, and reducing strategic dependencies in protein and feed additive supplies.

FEFAC warned that the EU still imports around 70% of its high-protein plant protein requirements and called for a comprehensive EU Protein Plan from 2026 with clear targets, milestones and financial incentives to stimulate domestic protein crop production.

The federation also raised concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities linked to feed additives. It noted that the EU remains heavily dependent on China for certain essential products, including amino acids and vitamins, and called for a long-term strategy to reduce exposure to supply disruptions.

On trade and food security, FEFAC urged policymakers to ensure harmonized enforcement of legislation across Member States and to assess the potential impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on feed raw material supplies. According to the federation, the EU imports around 33 million tons of soy annually, and disruptions could affect feed availability.

“Reliable access to high-quality, innovative, and affordable feed products is essential to both the economic resilience and sustainability performance of EU aquaculture and livestock production,” FEFAC stated.

The recommendations were published ahead of the European Commission’s expected release of the EU Livestock Strategy and EU Protein Plan in early July, two initiatives expected to shape future feed, livestock and agricultural policy across the bloc.