The European Commission has adopted its first-ever Livestock Strategy alongside a comprehensive Protein Action Plan, aiming to lift the EU's self-sufficient protein share to 35% over the next decade. While European feed federations FEFAC and FEFANA welcome the dual framework, they urge policymakers to expand their strategic focus toward critical vulnerabilities in specialty feed ingredients and micro-ingredients.
The European Commission has officially launched a dual policy framework designed to reinforce the long-term resilience and strategic autonomy of Europe’s €400 billion livestock and feed sectors. Recognizing that the EU currently sources only 25% of its oilseed and protein crops domestically, the new Protein Action Plan establishes a binding community-wide benchmark to elevate this share to 35% by 2035. Simultaneously, the newly adopted Livestock Strategy introduces five core pillars targeting crisis preparedness, global competitiveness, emissions reduction, regional integration, and production excellence. Notably, the strategy pledges dedicated financial assistance and adequate transition periods to help farmers adopt low-emission practices and navigate the shift toward cage-free production systems.
FEFAC AND FEFANA CALL FOR BROADER STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
While welcoming the Commission’s timely response to supply chain vulnerabilities, European feed manufacturers stress that the EU’s strategic exposure extends far beyond bulk protein crops. Reacting to the announcement, the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) cautioned that Europe remains critically dependent on a highly concentrated pool of non-EU suppliers for essential feed additives, such as vitamins and amino acids. To demonstrate how advanced reformulation can already mitigate these risks, FEFAC recently hosted European Commissioner for Agriculture & Food Christophe Hansen on technical visits to a DSM-Firmenich vitamin plant in Germany and a LORIAL feed mill in France.
The EU livestock sector accounts for roughly 40% of total agricultural added value, employing 7 million people across 4 million farms. This dual policy push marks the first time Brussels has tied livestock market profitability directly to raw material self-sufficiency, signaling a stricter regulatory environment for European feed supply chains heading toward 2035.
“EU feed manufacturers have long been committed to making the best possible use of locally available vegetable protein sources,” stated FEFAC in an official release. “At the same time, we must recognise that the EU will continue to rely on imports of high-protein soy from third countries in the years ahead. It is therefore essential to maintain the production of biodiesel and bioethanol, as these sectors provide valuable high-protein vegetable feed co-products.”
Aligning with this view, the European Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) emphasized that regulatory modernization is vital to unlocking the full potential of high-tech feed solutions. Joerg Seifert, FEFANA’s Secretary General, stated: “Feed additives are well placed to help livestock farmers meet the nutritional, health and welfare needs of animals as well as address sustainability issues including enhanced feed efficiency and decreased emissions. We look forward to making an active contribution to the upcoming European Commission planned dialogue on the implementation of EU feed legislation in November 2026.”