The European Environment Agency (EEA) recently published a report that highlights the importance of preventing food waste by reusing former food as animal feed. In 2022, 59 million tonnes of food were wasted in Europe. The report emphasises that reusing food as donation or animal feed should take precedence over processing routes such as fermentation or energy generation. This is fully in line with the EU’s food value pyramid.
Opportunities for processors of former foodstuffs
For companies involved in the processing of former food products into animal feed – such as the members of VIDO – this report offers an important recognition. The EEA calls on Member States to develop policies that stimulate the use of former food products in animal feed, including financial incentives and the reduction of bureaucratic barriers. This opens the door to more support, clear regulations and possible subsidies for our sector.
Time for policy change
The EEA call is an opportunity for the Netherlands to better align its policies with these types of sustainable initiatives. By reducing food waste and harnessing the value of residual flows, animal feed processors can play an even greater role in a circular food chain.
