February 16, 2007
Fishmeal remains popular in livestock feed
World fishmeal production in 2006, at 5 million tonnes, was 20 percent below average levels, a consequence of climatic conditions and reduced fishing effort to conserve stocks.
Prices virtually doubled as a result, driven by continued strong demand in expanding worldwide aquaculture markets, according to industry news.
Demand for fishmeal has been growing despite high prices and availability of synthetic alternatives. Fishmeal is increasingly being used as a vital feed ingredient in pig and poultry diets.
According to official UK statistics, consumption in 2006 was on par with 2005, and a recent FIN (Fishmeal Information Network) survey of pig producers confirmed fishmeal was still popular in pig feeds.
At an average price ratio of 1:5 against soymeal, fishmeal's continued inclusion defies all previous rules of thumb, yet farmers point to its critical role as an 'insurance policy' in maintaining fertility and herd health.
Prices of fishmeal are forecast to come down this year with a return to more normal production levels of 6 to 6.5 million tonnes.
Prices however, have not been the only challenge to this vital feed ingredient.
In 2001, EU banned feeding fishmeal to ruminants as part of BSE control measures.
Initial concerns that fishmeal could contain infected meat and bone meal fuelled wider political debate about the sustainability of fish stocks and the ethics of feeding non-vegetable proteins to farm livestock.
Later, a partnership was established between GAFTA and the Sea Fish Industry Authority, FIN to promote fishmeal in the face of such pressures.
With no scientific evidence to link fishmeal with BSE-type conditions, FIN has supported efforts to keep fishmeal on the European agenda since the 2001 ban.
In Dec 2006, a common text was finally agreed between the EU parliament and Council which paves the way, firstly for fishmeal to be used in multi-species mills, and secondly for the same to be permitted in ruminant diet.
