EUROPEAN-SEED.COM I EUROPEAN SEED I 27 AD: Indeed, there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to develop- ing the seed and feed research interface. Plant breeding, agronomic and animal nutrition science are constantly evolving and somewhere they must meet. We see a very important role for innovative plant breeding to have an impact on Europe’s capacity to grow the quality of vegeta- ble protein that is useful for compound feed manufacturers, which requires coordination of respective demands and possibilities. We understand that arable farmers have a preference for protein crop varieties with improved yields and better disease resistance, but we see value in linking up with the livestock farmer demands for better protein qual- ity. Amino acid profile, nutrient density, protein concentration, digestibility and palatability are all parameters that influ- ence the decision of the modern animal nutritionist to incorporate a certain protein source in the feed formulation, as is also the presence of anti-nutrients. Suitability of protein sources is of course also determined by the animal spe- cies, age and breed. In addition, animal nutrition science increasingly needs to look beyond only animal requirements and take into account the reduction of nutrient leakage into the environment, just to mention non-digestible phos- phates in rapeseed meal as one example. Increasingly, we also need to consider the impact of increasing the suitability of veg- etable protein to meet livestock needs as a consequence of processing. ES: WHAT CHANGES IN PLANT VARIETIES IS THE FEED INDUSTRY LOOKING FOR THEN? AD: If I can mention an inspirational example, then my thoughts go back to the introduction of 00-rapeseed varie- ties in the 1980s with reduced levels of erucic acid and glucosinolate, a restric- tive anti-nutrient for farm animals. Plant breeding innovation made it possible for rapeseed meal to be used in feed. In com- bination with improvement in processing technology it is currently the most impor- tant EU grown vegetable protein source in compound feed manufacturing, with a growing share also in monogastric feeds. The reduction of alkaloids in sweet lupins allowed for their increased inclusion rates into feed formulation. Tannins were bred out of sorghum about 15 years ago, but they can still be a limiting factor for peas and faba beans. There are still plenty of anti-nutri- ents in protein sources that affect the digestibility and often require specific feed processing and treatment to remove them, which is costly. In legume seeds (soybeans, peas and beans) protease inhibitors (e.g. Trypsin) and lectins are the most important anti-nutritional factors. B-conglycinin, Stachyose and Raffinose are other examples of anti-nu- trients reducing the nutritional value of soybean products. ES: WHICH CROPS PROVIDE THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF INCREASED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTION IN EUROPE? AD: For an increase of European vege- table protein production, increased pro- tein content of already existing protein sources will move us forward the quick- est. Higher levels of digestible protein in for example in soy, rapeseed and sun- flower will have a bigger impact on the European protein balance sheet than set- ting aside land for the cultivation of peas or beans. We know that seed breeding is a lengthy R&D process where today’s decision could take 10-15 years to become market reality. Hence our call for a long term strategies setting realistic goals. ES: SOYBEAN IS THE MAIN CROP THAT PROVIDES THE EU LIVESTOCK SECTOR WITH PROTEIN-RICH FEED MATERIALS. IS THERE ANY REASON THAT THIS WOULD CHANGE IN THE FUTURE? AD: Soybean meal definitely is the highly competitive benchmark for new protein sources trying to make an entry. With its ideal amino-acid profile it scores high on all protein quality parameters. In addi- tion, its affordability, consistency and all-round availability, including the possi- bility for using price hedging tools, make it the first choice for both animal nutri- tionists and feed buyers. Only rapeseed meal and sunflower meal have been able to deliver mainstream market solutions, thanks to a combination of fiscal support for biofuels and advances in plant breed- ing and processing technology. Growing more soybean in Europe is therefore also one of the most likely options to have an impact on boosting the balance sheet of home-grown vegetable protein sources. ES: THE LAST FEW YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON PLANT BREEDING INNOVATION LEADING TO BETTER PLANT VARIETIES. WHAT IS FEFAC’S POSITION ON THESE NEW TECHNIQUES? AD: For FEFAC there is no doubt that the most modern techniques that innovative plant breeding has to offer are absolutely necessary if Europe wants to be serious about increasing the production of vegetable protein. We recognise the fast growing range of possibilities, even though the R&D trajectory will remain long. The recent ruling of the European Court of Justice in the mutagenesis case however may be game-changer as it could effectively impose a “de- facto” moratorium on many of these new breeding techniques in Europe. For the feed industry it holds the risk that it could also set up a non-tariff trade barrier because of a mismatch in international regulatory approaches on plant breeding innovation. We hope that the European Commission will find a legislative solution, especially now that EU trade discussions with the United States are being relaunched following the joint US-EU statement on trade, signed the same day as the ECJ ruling on Mutagenesis. In any case we will continue to support the European Seed Association in building the scientific & customer benefit argument for Europe to unlock the full potential of modern plant breeding. Knowing that 1st generation GMO plants did not provide any direct nutritional benefits for feed formulators, it would be sad for history to repeat itself and force European agriculture as well as the European feed industry to miss out on the promises of modern plant breeding innovation. The EU desperately needs a regulatory framework that supports innovation in the plant breeding sector providing legal certainty for the prospect of cost-efficient investments sustaining the development of a sustainable, competitive animal nutrition sector. Editors Note: FEFAC: The European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) was founded in 1959 by five national compound feed associations from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. FEFAC member- ship today consists of 23 national asso- ciations from 23 EU Member States as full members and a number of associ- ate and observer members from neigh- bouring European countries. FEFAC is the only independent spokesman of the European Compound Feed Industry at the level of the European Institutions. FEFAC is member of IFIF, the International Feed Industry Federation and holds observer status in CODEX Alimentarius.