EU may relax protein ban in animal feeds

The European Commission has begun moves towards allowing the use of non-ruminant animal protein in poultry and pig feeds.

It says this is justified because it is now five years since the EU has seen a classic case of BSE.

Its blanket ban across all species was introduced in 2001.

The commission says the move to relax the rules would reduce proteins being wasted, which is in line with its Green Deal strategy to reduce waste and boost EU protein availability.

It also says denying producers access to this form of protein makes them less competitive on global markets. This could pave the way for insects to be produced specifically for use in livestock feeds.

CEREAL PROSPECTS

Europe remains on course for a good 2021 cereal harvest, according to Coceral, the body that represents the industry.

In its latest crop estimate report for the EU 27 and UK it suggests the harvest will remain comfortably above 300 million tonnes.

At 306.8m tonnes its March forecast is slightly down on December’s 307.4m tonnes.

However, it remains well ahead of the 2020 outcome of 287m tonnes.

Wheat production has been revised down from 143m to 141.5m tonnes, mainly due to lower plantings in Germany, Italy and Hungary.

Barley production is still forecast at 61.5m tonnes, down from 63.9m last year.

The next Coceral harvest forecast report will be published in June.

RURAL PRIORITIES

The European Commission has published a report on what people living in rural areas see as priorities.

This is based on an online public consultation between September and November last year.

It identifies improved infrastructure, especially in terms of public transport, as a priority.

Farming is seen as the sector contributing the most to rural areas.

The public consultation was to help develop a long-term vision for rural areas.

BUDGET FOR SCHOOLS

Meanwhile, the EU has agreed a € 220 million budget to cover milk, fruit and vegetables for schools across the EU.

The allocation is based on numbers of children in each member state.

PIGS: Using non-ruminant animal protein in feeds would help to reduce waste.