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Europe seeks home-grown rule for organic feed production

A proposed change in feed rules for organic livestock production in Europe's EU-27 countries is under consideration by the European Commission's Standing Committee on Organic Farming. Advocates of the change want to see a minimum percentage placed on the amount of feed given to organically reared animals and poultry grown on the same farm.

A proposed change in feed rules for organic livestock production in Europe’s EU-27 countries is under consideration by the European Commission’s Standing Committee on Organic Farming.

Advocates of the change want to see a minimum percentage placed on the amount of feed given to organically reared animals and poultry grown on the same farm.

They aim for a rule that mandates at least 40% of feed for organic pigs and poultry to be home-produced, rising to 70% in the case of organic herbivores. Moreover, according to this proposal, any feed that is not produced on the livestock or poultry farm should be sourced locally, from the same region or neighboring regions.

Opponents say any substantial minimum for home-grown feed supplies would be impossible for organic meat producers to achieve because many of these farms tend to be unsuitable for growing grain. 

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