The European Animal Feed Industry Calls for Lysine to Be Recognized as a "Critical Raw Material" in the European Union, Reports Euractiv

This request comes amid significant disruptions in the supply chain, which have led to rising prices and difficulties in securing the necessary quantities for feed production.

The Importance of Lysine in Animal Nutrition

Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning that animals cannot synthesize it and must obtain it from their diet.

It is crucial for animal growth and development, playing an important role in protein synthesis and immune system function.

In feed production, lysine is added to balance the amino acid profile, ensuring optimal nutrition for animals and improving the efficiency of feed conversion into animal products such as meat, milk, and eggs.

Current Challenges in Lysine Supply

Recently, the feed industry has faced significant disruptions in the lysine supply chain.

These have been caused by factors such as trade restrictions, fluctuations in the global market, and logistical issues.

The consequences of these disruptions include rising prices and difficulties in securing the necessary quantities for feed production, which could negatively impact the European livestock sector.

Request for "Critical Raw Material" Status

In response to these challenges, representatives of the feed industry are calling for lysine to be included in the European Union’s list of critical raw materials.

This status would recognize lysine’s strategic importance for food security and enable the implementation of measures to ensure a stable and affordable supply.

Such measures include diversifying supply sources, stimulating domestic production, and creating strategic stockpiles.

Involvement of European Authorities

European authorities are urged to collaborate with the feed industry to assess the situation and identify viable solutions.

Recognizing lysine as a critical raw material could facilitate investments in local production capacities and reduce dependence on imports from regions vulnerable to disruptions.

It could also encourage research and innovation in animal nutrition, promoting the development of sustainable and efficient alternatives.

Perspectives and Alternative Solutions

In addition to immediate measures to secure lysine supply, the feed industry is also exploring alternative solutions to reduce dependence on synthetic amino acids. One such solution is the use of insect-derived proteins in animal feed.

Insects, such as the larvae of Musca domestica and Tenebrio molitor, have a high protein content and can provide a balanced amino acid profile, including lysine.

The use of insects as a protein source in feed has been approved in the European Union for certain animal species, and research is ongoing to expand these applications.

Other alternative protein sources, such as algae and microorganisms, are also being explored. These can be cultivated under controlled conditions and have a lower environmental impact.

These solutions could contribute to increasing sustainability in feed production and reducing vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

Conclusion

Recognizing lysine as a critical raw material in the European Union would be an important step toward ensuring food security and sustainability in the livestock sector.

Through proactive measures and the exploration of alternative solutions, the feed industry can overcome current challenges and contribute to the development of a resilient and sustainable food system.