COCERAL, Copa-Cogeca, FEDIOL and FEFAC welcome comprehensive overview of protein crops used for feed

The balance sheet shows the total protein needs in the EU, with EU production of cereals and oilseeds (i.e.derived rapeseed and sunflower meal through domestic crushing) providing the bulk of raw protein requirements. It also confirms the strong need to import protein-rich sources such as soybean meal and soybeans for EU crushing. It should be clear that the different vegetable protein sources have different nutritional profiles and cannot be substituted for each other. 

Reacting to the publication, COCERAL, Copa-Cogeca, FEDIOL and FEFAC appreciated the Commission efforts to develop a dedicated, independent tool to monitor the balance of demand and availability of protein crops in the EU, which will contribute to market transparency and help operators to better understand market developments. This allows for informed discussions and an assessment of potential changes to the agricultural sector and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), non-agricultural uses like biofuels, phytosanitary and trade and anti-dumping policies which could affect the availability of protein sources for EU livestock farmers as well as increase dependency on imports. Assured and predictable access to a strategic supply of proteins to meet demand and to feed farm animals is crucial for the competitiveness and resilience of the EU feed and livestock sector. The Commission has indicated that a second EU protein balance sheet will be published after the summer of 2017 once data are available for the whole marketing year 2016/17, which will contribute to the discussions within the scope of the European cereals, oilseeds and protein crops market observatory.

Notes to the editor:
1. COCERAL is the European association of trade in cereals, rice, feedstuffs, oilseeds, olive oil, oils and fats and agrosupply. It represents the interest of the European collectors, traders, importers, exporters and port silo storekeepers of the above mentioned agricultural products. COCERAL’s full members are 21 national associations in 15 countries and 1 European association [Unistock]. With about 3500 companies as part of COCERAL national members, the sector trades agricultural raw materials destined to the supply of the food and feed chains, as well as for technical and energy uses. COCERAL has 1 associated member in Switzerland and 2 European Associations (EUROMALT and EUROMAISIERS). Gafta is an extraordinary member of COCERAL. Contact: Teresa Babuscio, Secretary-General, Tel. +32.2.502 08 08, Teresa.Babuscio@coceral.com
2. COPA AND COGECA are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, they ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative and competitive, guaranteeing food security to half a billion people throughout Europe. Copa represents nearly 23 million farmers and their families whilst Cogeca represents the interests of 22,000 agricultural cooperatives. They have 66 member organisations from the EU member states. Contact: Pekka Pesonen, Secretary-General, Tel. + 32 2 287 27 11; Amanda Cheesley, Press Officer, Mobile: +32 (0) 474 84 08 36, Amanda.Cheesley@copa-cogeca.eu
3. FEDIOL - The EU vegetable oil and protein meal industry association, represents the interests of the European oilseed crushers, vegetable oil refiners and bottlers. FEDIOL members are 12 national associations and associated company members in 5 other EU countries. With about 150 facilities in Europe, the sector provides 20,000 direct employments. Its members process approximately 55 million tonnes of basic products a year, both of EU origin and imported from third country markets. The sector processes notably rapeseed, sunflower seed, soybeans and linseed into oils and meals for food, feed, technical and energy uses essentially on the European market. Contact: Nathalie Lecocq, Director General, Tel:+32.2.771.53.30, nlecocq@fediol.eu
4. FEFAC, the European Compound Feed Manufacturers’ Federation, represents 24 national Associations in 23 EU Member States as well as Associations in Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia, Russia and Norway with observer/associate member status. The European compound feed industry employs over 100,000 persons on app. 3,500 production sites often in rural areas, which offer few employment opportunities. Contact: Alexander Döring Secretary-General FEFAC Tel. +32 2 285 00 50, fefac@fefac.eu