The animal feed sector has been accused of being slow in moving towards sustainable sources of supply, particularly in response to developments involving advances in the production of sustainable palm oil.
According to Yorkshire-based Adams & Green, specialist supplier of liquid feed fats, the feed sector should no longer be ignoring the sustainable palm oil issue.
“Following extensive publicity around palm oil sustainability, the consumer food industry has largely moved towards using sustainable sources,” said the company’s general manager, Daniel Chilvers.
“Progress in the feed industry has been slower, although there is increasing interest and activity, with several feed companies making, and acting upon, commitments to use sustainable palm oil.
“This has helped to improve the supply chain options for the feed industry with segregated palm oil now more easily available and at lower costs.”
He also said that, despite current weak demand for sustainable palm oil use in the feed sector, it remained important for feed companies and their customers to increase their awareness of the product and to assess their options.
“This will ensure they can respond quickly if, and when, demand increases,” he said.