The Romanian Feed Manufacturers Association’s (ANFNC)’s annual conference took place in mid-June. Thanks to USSEC’s support, event participants had the opportunity to meet and listen Nick Major, the newly elected European Feed Industry Federation (FEFAC) president.
This was the first meeting in this capacity for Mr. Major. In his opening address, he stressed and elucidated the various FEFAC policies, challenges, and long and short-term objectives. He emphasized FEFAC’s position and ongoing work on responsible and sustainable supply including, most importantly, soybeans and soybean meals. In his presentation, he was supported by FEFAC’s Executive Secretary Alexander Döring.
Mr. Major highlighted positive market acceptance, while also pointing to FEFAC’s support to foster impactful regional action, with governments in the driver seat to foster landscaping programs. USSEC credited FEFAC’s Soy Sourcing Guidelines for bringing the topic of responsible soy production to a global level, with most SSAP certifications now being purchased by Chinese operators, while 1.8 million tons were sold to European markets.
Although young, the Romanian Feed Manufactures Association (ANFNC), founded in 2013, is today one of the 24 national associations making up FEFAC and is actively involved in developing relationships with FEFAC.
FEFAC is the leading professional organization for the European feed industry and an essential partner for agricultural economy in the EU. Because Europe relies on soy imports to meet demand for meat and dairy products, the European Feed industry imports over 6.5 million metric tons (MT) (238 million bushels) every year, which represents 11 percent of U.S. soybean and soybean meal exports and makes the EU the second largest importer of U.S. Soy. The U.S. Soy industry holds a competitive advantage in the European Union because of its work in the area of sustainability, which is of increasing importance to the European food and feed industry.