Interview: Cemalettin Kanaş

“Direct communication between industry stakeholders and policymakers is essential to bridge the gap and ensure effective decision-making. This proactive engagement fosters collaboration and drives impactful change within the feed industry.”

Meet Pedro Cordero, President of FEFAC, a visionary leader at the forefront of Europe’s feed industry. With a background in veterinary medicine and extensive experience in animal nutrition, Cordero’s journey from the pastures of Spain to leading a prominent industry organization is both inspiring and insightful. In an exclusive interview conducted following the 15th TUYEM (International Feed Congress and Exhibition) in Antalya, Turkey, from April 18th to 21st, 2024, Mr. Cordero graciously shared his insights on pressing industry challenges, from navigating sustainability concerns to collaborating with policymakers to ensure a resilient food supply. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Cordero for granting this exclusive interview and sharing invaluable perspectives with our readers.

As Cordero reflects on his role, he emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement and collaboration, stating, “Direct communication between industry stakeholders and policymakers is essential to bridge the gap and ensure effective decision-making.” With a keen eye on the future, Cordero unveils FEFAC’s strategic projects, including initiatives to assess biomass circularity and collaborate with European authorities to calculate protein availability. Join us as we try to discover the mind of a senior manager leading the future of Europe’s feed industry.

A JOURNEY FROM PASTURES OF SPAIN TO FEFAC PRESIDENCY

Can you please introduce yourself briefly?

I am Pedro Cordero, serving as the President of FEFAC since June 2023, with a term limit of three years, as per our organizational guidelines. My professional journey began in veterinary medicine, specializing in animal nutrition, a field I have dedicated myself to throughout my career. Prior to my current role, I gained valuable experience working on a large farm in the Southwestern region of Spain, where we focused on beef and lamb production. Subsequently, I joined a prominent group operating in both Spain and Portugal, known as Nanta, the leading compound feed producer in the region, under the ownership of the Nutreco Group. 

So this was the very beginning of your career in Nutreco?

Yes. In my earlier years, I provided technical services to farmers before transitioning into various management roles within the company, ultimately serving as the General Manager of Nanta for a significant tenure of nine years. During this time, overseeing the operation of twenty-one factories provided invaluable insight into the complexities of our industry.

In parallel to my professional endeavors, I have been actively engaged with the Spanish Feed Manufacturers Confederation, CESFAC, where I assumed the role of Vice-President of FEFAC seven years ago. The opportunity to represent FEFAC emerged when I was nominated for the presidency, prompting me to seek guidance from my company on managing dual responsibilities. Upon reaching a mutually beneficial arrangement, I allocated my time between the company’s strategic initiatives in Spain and Portugal and my commitments to FEFAC.

SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AND INDUSTRY REALITIES

Assuming the presidency of FEFAC has been a transformative experience, offering a profound learning curve despite my extensive background in animal nutrition. I’ve come to appreciate the nuanced variations in solutions required across different countries and regions within Europe. While addressing diverse sensitivities, it’s evident that certain overarching themes, such as sustainability, resonate universally throughout the industry. 

Sustainability has undeniably been a key focus of the feed industry in the last two years.

Why did you specify the past two years as a significant timeframe? Do you believe there was a distinct starting point for the heightened focus on sustainability, possibly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic?

From a political and relational perspective, the scenario before the COVID-19 pandemic was primarily focused on urging businesses to prioritize sustainability, sometimes at the expense of profitability. This approach occasionally bordered on making political statements rather than practical solutions. However, the current landscape reflects a shift towards a more pragmatic stance. European policymakers now recognize the necessity for striking a balance between sustainability and the uninterrupted production of essential staples. The events surrounding the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine underscored the strategic importance of food security, highlighting the need for a holistic approach that considers both sustainability goals and the imperative of ensuring a resilient food supply.

So, food has become more of a defense issue on both national and continental scales?

Precisely. This is why we are emphasizing food security, which holds even greater significance than sustainability. Therefore, it is imperative for European authorities to prioritize facilitating food production for European markets, akin to the attention given to energy security, which has seen significant cost increases in recent years. Food security is poised to become an even more pressing agenda item in the short term.

DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN PRIVATE SECTOR ROLES AND FEFAC LEADERSHIP

Have you encountered challenges balancing your responsibilities between your role in a private company and your leadership position at FEFAC?

It is indeed a significant inquiry. While many may offer advice on managing such dual roles, ultimately, the responsibility lies with you. Your track record throughout your career speaks volumes about your integrity and the trust people have placed in you. My experience in Spain reflects this trust in my character.

Indeed, it’s evident that you were nominated for your role in FEFAC with good reason. 

While it’s true that I may not have all the answers, it was crucial for me to demonstrate my capabilities. This was not solely about appearing impartial or balanced, but rather about fostering open and honest collaboration, much like my experience in my home country. I firmly believe that direct communication between industry stakeholders and policymakers is essential to bridge the gap and ensure effective decision-making. It’s not just a matter of impartiality; it’s about accurately conveying the industry’s challenges, soliciting feedback, and proposing viable solutions. After all, policymakers are also European citizens with a vested interest in our shared goals. While complete agreement may not always be feasible, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding is paramount.

During my time in Brussels, I’ve observed a receptiveness among policymakers to engage with industry perspectives. Hence, we have actively extended invitations to policymakers to attend our meetings, facilitating direct interaction and collaboration.

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND DECISION MAKERS

In several European countries, we’ve noticed farmers organizing large-scale protests against certain regulations, expressing concerns about escalating costs and the perceived scapegoating of livestock production in favor of alternative meat concepts like artificial meat or beyond meat. Given FEFAC’s role as a bridge between feed producers and policymakers, and your commitment to sustainability goals, what is FEFAC’s official position on this contentious issue?

Thank you because you’ve made a valid point by highlighting the concept of being a ‘bridge’. This encapsulates precisely our objective at FEFAC - to serve as a conduit between farmers, the broader food chain, and policymakers. Positioned between these stakeholders, we are integral in fostering collaboration and aligning efforts towards meeting sustainability goals demanded by retailers and consumers. Our approach emphasizes proactive engagement with farmers, understanding their concerns, and offering viable solutions that prioritize sustainability in practical terms.

As the voice of the feed industry, we recognize the importance of taking a proactive stance. To this end, we maintain close collaboration with Copa-Cogeca, the unified voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Through ongoing dialogue and cooperation, we aim to identify mutually beneficial solutions. Moreover, we advocate for a gradual adoption of sustainability measures by farmers, acknowledging the complexities involved in transitioning their practices.

I’m encouraged by the receptiveness of the commission officials we engage with, who demonstrate openness to our messages and proposals. This positive dialogue lays the foundation for constructive collaboration towards achieving our shared sustainability objectives.

The European Commission is indeed subject to substantial criticism from producers regarding sustainability regulations. In your view, does this criticism reflect a perception that the sustainability agenda is somewhat exaggerated, possibly imposing undue burdens on ordinary farmers?

Honestly, I don’t believe policymakers are intentionally targeting farmers. However, the unintended consequences of certain policies have led to challenges, particularly regarding profitability for farmers. It’s evident that farmers are facing difficulties adapting to these new circumstances. At FEFAC, we stand in solidarity with them, offering support and advocating for their concerns through their respective associations. It’s important to recognize that policymakers also face heavy pressure from society and various organizations, each with differing perspectives and priorities.

By whom specifically? Are we referring to global top companies or trade organizations?

Not necessarily. he social movements in Europe wield considerable influence and rightfully hold diverse opinions within a democratic framework. It’s imperative to fully respect these varied perspectives. However, as FEFAC, our role is to highlight the potential consequences of proposed actions and caution against solutions that may exacerbate existing problems.

We are not aligned with any political party or specific social movement; rather, we represent the interests of the industry based on factual analysis. Despite differing opinions across EU countries, FEFAC serves as the unified voice of the industry, striving to integrate these diverse viewpoints into a cohesive stance for policymakers.

Policymakers face the challenge of reconciling disparate feedback on common issues, making it difficult to arrive at definitive solutions. Therefore, our approach is to streamline these diverse inputs into a unified perspective, simplifying the decision-making process for policymakers. 

FEFAC’S AGENDA AND FUTURE STEPS

What would you say about FEFAC’s upcoming annual meeting in Brussels?

We’re actively engaging in numerous meetings with various organizations to address critical issues facing the industry. In the coming weeks, we’re scheduled to meet with our partners COCERAL and FEDIOL to discuss the forthcoming EU Deforestation-Free Regulation and its implementation. This will be a key focus area for us in the near future.

Additionally, our 68th annual meeting, set to take place in Brussels at the end of May, will serve as a platform to update stakeholders on these discussions. Industry members, producers, suppliers, and associations typically attend, with participation open to all. During the meeting, we’ll listen to participants’ feedback, ensuring alignment with industry needs and assessing if adjustments are necessary. This feedback loop is vital for guiding our direction and ensuring we’re on the right path. 

What are your future projects at FEFAC?

One of our strategic projects involves developing a circularity assessment tool to calculate the sustainability of biomass utilization in facilities, aimed at establishing indicators for feed circularity. Once completed, we’ll be able to provide insights to your customer into the circularity of your product based on the percentage of ingredients you are using in your formula. We need to create this indicator. 

Our second goal is to collaborate with European authorities to calculate protein availability across the continent. Lastly, we’re committed to addressing the challenges surrounding deforestation regulations. These three are pivotal for our short and medium-term strategy.

CONCERNS ON INSECT PRODUCTION

Speaking of circularity, I’d also like to hear your thoughts on the concept of using insects as feed.

Insects are increasingly becoming a part of Europe’s protein production landscape, albeit in small percentages at present. However, their usage may rise significantly in the future. It’s important to emphasize our vision for the future, where insects are primarily fed with waste materials, aligning with a more sustainable approach.

We have reservations about feeding insects with feed grains, as this competes directly with feed production. Finding the right balance is crucial. We support insect production using waste materials as a form of recycling. However, if edible raw materials, suitable for human or animal nutrition, are used to feed insects, it merely substitutes one protein source for another. This doesn’t appear to provide a significant advantage from our perspective. Resolving and clarifying this issue is paramount for us.