A call to action

At a time of geopolitical turbulences coupled with climate change impacts, it is natural that governments are reviewing their food strategies to ensure both their sovereignty and safety through diversification and carbon footprint reduction. It is what the Norwegian government has been doing, putting the emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving biodiversity in the years to come.

To achieve such an objective around greener feeds, prioritising local sourcing, when possible, makes full sense.

The Northeast Atlantic countries are fortunate that a blue whiting fishery is on their door step.

This fishery has been utilised for several decades for fishmeal and fish oil production, providing European feed producers and fish farmers with a locally sourced feed ingredient. The stocks are healthy but deprived of any third party recognition of responsible sourcing until a political agreement is reached collectively by all the coastal states on a shared quota, set in alignment with scientific advice. Feed producers’ sourcing policies exclude non-certified or non-FIP materials from being used as a feed ingredient.

The journey towards greener feeds might start immediately if the Norwegian government decides to take the lead in the next round of negotiations.

Certainly feed for thought…