Reducing the land use of EU pork production: where there’s swill, there’s a way

Abstract

HighlightsFood wastes are banned in animal feed in the EU due to disease control concerns.Many Asian states operate safe, centralised systems for recycling waste as feed.Asian-style food waste recycling could reduce the land use of EU pork by one-fifth.This would reduce environmental impacts without reducing pork quality or profits.Policy change will require pig industry, consumer, and political support.

Environmental and health impacts of using food waste as animal feed: a comparative analysis of food waste management options

“…The law still permits the feeding of some food wastes where it can be demonstrated that there is no risk of contamination with animal products, but this represents only a small proportion of all EU food waste. Currently, of the 89–100 million tonnes of food waste produced in the EU per year (Monier et al., 2010), only around 3 million tonnes are recycled as animal feed (zu Ermgassen et al, 2016). …”

Opinion paper: Food loss and waste to animal feed

“…South Korea and Japan both recycle ca. 40% of their food waste as animal feed, which is made possible by regulation of food waste collection, transport, storage, heat treatment and feed manufacture (zu Ermgassen et al, 2016). From a safety perspective it is critical that the feed chain is not used as a means to dispose of degraded or contaminated foodstuffs.…”

An integrated eco-model of agriculture and small-scale industry in craft villages toward cleaner production and sustainable development in rural areas – A case study from Mekong delta of Viet Nam

“…The work of Ermgassen et al (2016) indicated high potential and benefit when using food wastes from industry for feeding animals. Mol and Dieu (2006) studied eco-production in relation with environmental problems in the Cassava starch production in Eco-villages and biomass towns in Vietnam rural areas.…”

“…If the cost for feeding 60 pigs are taken into account as well, the household saves about 90,000,000 VND/farrow (≈ 1,500,000 VND/pig), and if there are 3 farrows per year, the household could save an amount of 270,000,000 VND/year as benefit when coupling the industrial production with the livestock. Moreover, Ermgassen et al (2016) show that the use of food waste like swill could substantially reduce the land use impacts of pork production and environmental benefits can be achieved while improving the profitability of many farming businesses while at the same time M A N U S C R I P T…”