German feed producers face many challenges
The German production of animal feed showed a modest growth in 2024, after 2 years of decline. According to the German organisation of feed producers Deutscher Verband Tiernahrung (DVT), the sector will face many challenges in 2025. “We’re looking sceptical at the future, any positive development will depend strongly on the political decisions. It’s mainly wait and see, while we try to bridge the coming uncertain times with business as normal,” DVT-spokesman Hermann-Josef Baaken says. He refers to the recent fall of the German government and the upcoming general elections in his country.
One of the main challenges comes from Brussels in the form of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EU has recently decided to postpone the implementation of the new rules until January 1st, 2026. However, many open questions remain, Baaken says. The DVT also stresses that it’s environmental scope is much wider than just the EUDR. “The EUDR aims to protect against deforestation but all other important aspects of a sustainable development are overlooked while we in DVT and in the feed industry try to reach complete sustainability. We are working sector-wide on a concept for a universal assessment of the environmental side of livestock farming.
The German feed industry asks the new government to acknowledge agriculture and the necessity of production in Germany. Export of products should not be influenced by political motivated considerations. According to Baaken, free access to products and goods is needed worldwide. They reject duties that will only lead to a shift in the flow of goods As for the recent trade treaty between the EU and the South-American bloc Mercosur, DVT welcomes the outcome in which all parties agree on standards. On a more national level, the DVP asks for more flexibility in the rules for working on Sundays in order to guarantee the supply of animal feed, a lessening of the administrative burden and the recognition of new technological developments to avoid a competitive disadvantage with countries that do already take such steps.