February 6, 2014

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.

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 Michael Binder, Chair of the SFIS Technical Board.

"The SFIS project partners are committed to sharing the positive results of their work with international organisations and other feed chain operators," Philippe Becquet, Chair of the SFIS Management Board said.

The final findings of the SFIS study will be published in second quarter of 2014.

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.

The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) is made up of national and regional feed associations, feed related organisations, 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.

FEFANA - the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures - is the united voice of the specialty feed ingredients industry in the EU. With more than 100 members from 28 European countries, it is the organisation representing the interests of the specialty ingredients industry that enter the food chain via feed, whether produced in Europe or imported from third countries.