A new European research project will examine how locally produced protein crops could reduce the livestock sector’s dependence on imported feed materials.
PROFEED has received almost €5.5 million through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. Led by the University of Leeds, the project brings together 15 partners from eight European countries to work across crop science, farming, feed technology, animal nutrition and policymaking.
The European Commission said the initiative was intended to develop sustainable plant-based protein alternatives, regional roadmaps and recommendations for policy at EU level. The project is focused on the whole value chain, rather than on crop production or feed manufacturing in isolation.
“PROFEED aims to turn protein diversification into an opportunity to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of Europe’s feed systems,” said ChristineBosch, associate professor at University of Leeds and PROFEED coordinator.
Reducing exposure to imported supplies
Almost 96% of the high-protein feed used in Europe is imported, according to the European Commission statement announcing the project. That reliance leaves local farming exposed to supply-chain disruption, price fluctuations and environmental pressure, the statement said.
Increasing domestic production is therefore a central part of the project’s remit. For livestock businesses, the work concerns the availability and resilience of protein sources used in animal feed, including in systems that depend on purchased feed alongside forage and grazing.
- 15 partners from eight European countries are involved.
- The project will work with 40 farmers.
- It will include 10 “lighthouse sites” and four communities of practice.
- More than 130 soyabean, lupin and alfalfa accessions will be screened initially.
Testing crops across European conditions
The research will cover a range of European farming environments. Its stated aim is to identify the main obstacles to expanding sustainable protein-crop value chains for feed, while testing and validating possible solutions across the continent.
The first stage will assess more than 130 soyabean, lupin and alfalfa accessions under controlled conditions. The screening will include current and future climate scenarios, with the objective of identifying varieties considered promising and resilient before further testing in farming environments.
The planned farmer participation, demonstration sites and communities of practice are intended to connect research findings with practical farming, feed and policy decisions. The project will consequently examine domestic protein production as part of a wider European effort to strengthen feed-system resilience and reduce reliance on imported supplies.
