Protecting Pet Food Ingredients

THE EUROPEAN PET FOOD INDUSTRY – FEEDING PETS IN 50% OF HOUSEHOLDS

According to FEDIAF data, pet ownership in Europe is on the rise, with 50% of Europeans now sharing their homes with one of the continent's 352 million pets. This is a significant increase compared to 38% of households in 2019.
 

Currently, Europe produces 9.9 million tonnes of pet food annually, valued at €29.2 billion. As we work to nourish the growing pet population, our need for pet food ingredients including ABPs (animal by-products) will grow.
 

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THE EUROPEAN PET FOOD INDUSTRY: NOURISHING PETS AND OUR ROLE IN THE FOOD CHAIN
 

The European Pet Food Industry plays a vital role in the feed chain, providing nutritious meals for our beloved pets. Our unwavering commitment to quality and safety ensures that we meet the unique nutritional needs of our cats and dogs, which vary by life stage, health, and activity level.

Our Industry produces an extensive range of complete pet foods to cater for this wide range of needs, ensuring that every pet receives the nutrition they require. So long as the guidelines are followed, pets receive the correct nutrition, in the right proportions, to ensure they stay healthy.

To create nutritious recipes, pet food incorporates various animal by-products, including Category 3 animal fats and Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs). Through meticulous blending techniques and adherence to industry standards, complete diets are high-quality and nutritionally balanced to support optimal health and vitality.
 

WHY CAT3 ANIMAL FATS MATTER

They contribute to a balanced diet, supporting healthy skin and coat, brain function, and immune system strength.

Category 3 animal fats provide essential fatty acids, enhance the taste and aroma of pet food, making it more appealing to pets and encouraging healthy eating habits.

By utilizing these animal by-products, including Category 3 animal fats, in pet food production, we minimize waste and make efficient use of valuable resources that might otherwise go unused. This approach aligns with sustainable practices and promotes responsible resource utilization within the pet food industry.+

THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY'S WASTE HIERARCHY
 

FEDIAF firmly believes that food, such as Category 3 animal fats, which are not intended for human consumption, should be repurposed according to the food waste hierarchy. Use of food in animal feed (including pet food) is positioned well above the use in biofuels and combustion fuels¹. This is depicted in the figure below.
 

THE EUROPEAN PET FOOD INDUSTRY – CHALLENGES AHEAD 

PRESSURE FROM NON-FEED SECTORS
Unfortunately, there is increasing pressure on the Pet Food Industry, and the wider Feed Industry, because Category 3 animal fats are being used in other sectors such as biofuels, which are much lower in terms of waste hierarchy. 

We continue to communicate the importance of Category 3 animal fats as vital ingredients for pet food, which contribute to our circular business model and cannot easily be replaced.

AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORY 3 ANIMAL FATS AND THEIR DESTINATIONS
According to EFPRA (the European animal by-product processing sector), the total production of Category 3 fat is 2.4 million tonnes². Around 400,000 tonnes are allocated to pet food. Around 900,000 to biodiesel.
 

According to data from EFPRA, demand for Category 3 animal fats in biofuels has grown by 88% over recent years. This is not the result of fair market competition. This is the result of a market distorting consequence of EU legislation: the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
 

THE DECLINE IN BEEF PRODUCTION

The increased demand for Category 3 animal fats from different sectors, coincides with a 3.9% decline² in EU beef production and these trends are expected to continue. Looking to the future, the European Commission predicts that EU beef production will drop by 8% between 2021 and 2031³.

.LOOKING TO THE FUTURE - FEEDING THE RISING PET POPULATION

The pet population in Europe has reached 352 million compared to 310 million a couple of years ago. As the demand for pet food continues to grow, coupled with the rising use of Category 3 animal fats in biofuels, we anticipate a substantial surge in demand. This scenario presents a challenge in terms of the availability of key ingredients - Category 3 animal fats for the pet food industry.

In response to this challenge, FEDIAF proposes the following measures:
 

1. Regulatory Support: FEDIAF works closely with policy makers on the EU and member states level to ensure a favourable regulatory environment for the pet food industry. This includes advocating for clear guidelines and regulations that support the responsible use of Category 3 animal fats, prioritizing the traditional users and respecting the EU food waste hierarchy while also addressing any concerns related to safety and sustainability. 
    
2. Public Awareness and Education: FEDIAF emphasized the importance of policy makers and public awareness and education regarding the role of Cat3 animal fats in pet food. By promoting transparency and providing accurate information, FEDIAF aims to foster understanding and appreciationg for the value of these ingredients in providing nutritionally balanced meals for pets.
   
   Through these proposed measures, FEDIAF aims to address the challenges posed by the rising demand for pet food and the availability of Category 3 animal facts, By promoting collaboration, regulatory support, and public awareness, FEDIAF seeks to ensure the continued availability of high.quality pet food for the growing pet population. 

Source: FEDIAF


References

1. The Fat of the land, the impact of biofuel demand on the European market for rendered animal fats, Cerulogy, May 2023: https://te-cdn.ams3. cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/files/Cerulogy_Fat-of-the-land_May_23.pdf. Page 7 & 8.2. 

2. European Commission Short-term outlook for EU Agricultural Markets, page 23: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/ download/048136bf-53f1-4f74-b92d-d13954196505_en?filename=shortterm-outlook-spring-2024_en.pdf

3. EU Agricultural outlook 2021-31: Consumer behaviour to influence meat and dairy markets. https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/news/euagricultural-outlook-2021-31-consumer-behaviour-influence-meat-anddairy-markets-2021-12-09_en#moreinfo