A new project – OK-Net EcoFeed – aimed at helping organic pig and poultry farmers in achieving the goal of 100% use of organic and regional feed was launched today. A key objective of organic farming is that animals are fed with feed produced at or near the farm. Yet, this is difficult to achieve in large parts of Europe. Organic feed and livestock production are concentrated in different regions. Animal feed often has to be imported from regions far away from where the animals are raised. The problem is most challenging for protein feed, which is sometimes even not available in organic quality.
Dr. Bram Moeskops, OK-Net EcoFeed project coordinator said: “Increasing the availability of organic and regional feed will further improve the sustainability of organic agriculture. OK-Net EcoFeed will work with farmers, breeders and the organic feed industry to make practical solutions available to improve the use of organic and regional feed.” All knowledge generated by the project will be formatted in practical fact sheets and videos and made available on the OK-Net Knowledge platform.
Dr. Bruce Pearce, Deputy Director Programmes at the Organic Research Centre said: “OK-Net EcoFeed will work with 11 innovation groups that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge among farmers, business actors, researchers and advisors. These groups will identify innovations from the ground up and ensure that solutions disseminated by the project “work in the real world” of farming and business. The innovation groups are amongst the most pioneering in organic pig and poultry production in their country”.
