The contribution of animal feed to the sustainability, health and welfare of the poultry industry

Animal feed is the first link in the food chain and is essential to ensure animal health and food safety. Characterized by its resilience, the industry has spent many years researching and innovating to adapt to new demands and challenges related to the health, welfare and sustainability of livestock production. In this regard, various nutrition management strategies have been described that contribute to the goals of improving poultry farm health, reducing the use of antimicrobials, improving animal welfare, and reducing the environmental impact of production.

Keywords: animal feed, sustainability, health, well-being.

The contribution of animal feed to the health, welfare and sustainability of poultry production systems

Animal feed represents the first link in the food production chain and is an important element in guaranteeing animal health and food safety. With its proven resilience, the industry has spent years researching and innovating to adapt to new demands and challenges related to the health, welfare and sustainability of livestock production. In this sense, various nutrition management strategies have been developed that contribute to the following goals: improving poultry health, reducing the use of antimicrobials, protecting animal welfare and reducing the environmental impact of intensive systems.

Keywords: feed, sustainability, health, welfare.

Feeding the animals

Animal feed accounts for more than 65% of livestock farm production costs (GO INPULSE, 2022), suggesting the need to optimize the determination of nutritional requirements and maximize nutrient delivery to achieve greater efficiency. Likewise, diets must be formulated to take into account both the nutritional requirements of each animal species and their productive phase and health status so that they can prevent nutritional deficiencies that have a significant impact on the health, immunity and welfare of the animals. . New requirements regarding sustainability and reducing the use of antimicrobials mark a shift in nutritional management of diets towards the use of ingredients that help improve animal digestion and prevent infections.

The Spanish animal feed sector not only leads the production of feed in the European Union, but also exports it worldwide (CESFAC, 2023). The feed industry is part of a chain of sectors that contribute to a safe and quality food supply (GO INPULSE, 2022). From this perspective, the animal feed sector works every day to improve food safety, increase knowledge about the nutritional needs of animals and acquire the tools to achieve regulatory, scientific and technical goals. An example of this is the new publication from the European Federation of Animal Feed Industry (FEFAC) on advanced animal feeding strategies to support the transition to more sustainable and circular livestock and aquaculture production, developed in collaboration with FEFAC member companies. Animal Nutrition Committee and its member associations.

Thus, the traditional goal of maximizing animal growth and productivity in the shortest possible time is being replaced by new animal nutrition strategies aimed at improving digestive health, immunity and animal welfare. At the same time, sustainability is becoming increasingly important, becoming a strategic and priority goal for companies, so it begins to be integrated into the activities of employees at different levels, starting with the supply of raw materials with a lower carbon footprint. .. to developing feeds to reduce emissions from the animals that eat them.

Farm to Fork Strategy

The European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy is part of the European Green Deal and includes as its main goal the transformation to a sustainable food system, from production to consumption, to reduce the environmental impact of food systems and increase their resilience in the face of crises. and continue to ensure the availability of healthy and affordable food for future generations.

Among the specific goals identified in the Farm to Fork strategy are the following:

1. reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% and reduce the use of the most hazardous pesticides by 50%,
2. reduce nutrient losses by at least 50% without compromising soil fertility, thereby reducing fertilizer use by at least 20%
3. reduce sales of antimicrobials for food and aquaculture animals by 50%, and
4. ensure that at least 25% of EU agricultural land is devoted to organic agriculture and that organic aquaculture increases significantly.

To implement the tasks defined in the Strategy, proposals have been prepared to revise the current legislation in the field of animal protection (during breeding, transportation and slaughter of animals), to revise the Regulations on feed additives in order to reduce the impact of livestock farming on the environment. and creating a sustainable food labeling system, among other things.

This article appears in issue 8 (December 2023) of the magazine Avium. Subscribe here for full access to this and other magazine content.