The Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability (SFIS) Project Consortium announced the results of a year-long study which confirms the role of Specialty Feed Ingredients (SFIs) in reducing the environmental impact of livestock production.
Feb 5, 2014
Atlanta, USA – The Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability (SFIS) Project Consortium, dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of livestock production through innovative specialty feed ingredients, today announced the results of a year-long study which confirms the role of Specialty Feed Ingredients (SFIs) in reducing the environmental impact of livestock production.
Launched by the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) a year ago, the overall results of the study show that the use of SFIs in animal diets reduces the consumption of basic feed ingredients. Furthermore the study demonstrates that the use of SFIs results in clear reductions of the Global Warming Potential, as well as the Eutrophication and Acidification Potential during livestock production.
The rigorous SFIS analysis employed life cycle assessment (LCA) to examine the use of low protein diets (Nitrogen) and phytase (P) in pigs and poultry. The results of the study were validated by an independent Scientific Council made up of global experts in the fields of LCA methodology and animal nutrition. In addition to the positive results, the study also points towards future developments, such as improved feed conversion driven by advancing technologies in animal feeding through using SFIs.
“We are delighted that the results of the analysis establish such a clear role for the use of specialty feed ingredients in reducing the environmental impact of livestock production,” said Dr. Michael Binder, Chair of the SFIS Technical Board. “By setting up a standard approach to measure this role and delivering a manual of nutritional practice, this project will enable specialty feed ingredients to be included in the evaluation of mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact of animal production on a global basis” added Dr. Binder.
“The SFIS project partners are committed to sharing the positive results of their work with international organizations and other feed chain operators,” highlighted Mr. Philippe Becquet, Chair of the SFIS Management Board. “The project is a prominent example of how the feed industry is working together to improve the sustainability of the whole feed and food chain,” added Mr. Becquet.
The final findings of the SFIS study will be published in Q2 2014.
About the SFIS Consortium
The Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability (SFIS) project consortium is led by the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA), and brings together the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Japan Feed Manufacturers Association (JFMA) and the Brazilian Feed Industry Association (Sindirações), as well as companies active in the production of feed and specialty feed ingredients. The project partners have joined together to measure and establish the role of specialty feed ingredients, specifically amino acids and enzymes, on the environmental impact of livestock production and are united in the goal to contribute to the reduction of emissions in the food and feed chain. A Scientific Council composed of distinguished world-class experts serves as the independent advisory body for the SFIS Project.
About IFIF
The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) is made up of national and regional feed associations, feed related organizations, and corporate members from around the globe, representing over 80% of the feed production worldwide. IFIF provides a unified leadership and coordinating role in order to contribute to the sustainable supply of safe, healthy feed and therefore food. For more information on IFIF please visit www.ifif.org or contact Alexandra de Athayde, Executive Director, at info@ifif.org.
About FEFANA
FEFANA – the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures – is the united voice of the specialty feed ingredients industry in the European Union. With more than 100 Members from 28 European countries, it is the organization representing the interests of the specialty ingredients industry that enter the food chain via feed, whether produced in Europe or imported from third countries. Manufacturers and traders of feed additives, functional feed ingredients, premixes and other mixtures of specialty ingredients are amongst its member companies. For more information please contact the FEFANA Secretariat at info@fefana.org or visit www.fefana.org.
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Issued by: IFIF / FEFANA
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