Poultry and livestock farming are expanding rapidly worldwide, driven by the growing demand for animal protein.
However, to ensure long-term sustainability, there is an urgent need to explore alternative solutions that minimise the environmental impact of feeding practices.
Conventional feeds, especially those reliant on large-scale imports, are contributing to significant ecological strain.
As the farming industry seeks ways to become more eco-friendly, innovations in sustainable feeding programs are gaining momentum.
At the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto event, experts introduced cutting-edge approaches to poultry farming, highlighting the need for change in the sector.
The European Union, for example, imports vast quantities of raw materials for livestock feed, particularly soybeans, with 85% of the soy, 24% of the corn, and 8% of wheat being sourced from outside.
This reliance on imports not only affects climate change but also undermines the autonomy of regional livestock production, making it clear that alternative feed solutions are essential for a more sustainable future.
Building on these ideas, the European SUSTAvianFEED project is introducing practical ways to make livestock farming more sustainable, with a focus on innovative poultry feeding programs.
Over the past few years, the project has brought together universities, research centers, and farming communities in Spain, Italy, Tunisia, and Turkey to explore new, eco-friendly alternatives for animal feed.
These solutions not only support small-scale local farmers in the Mediterranean but also strengthen their ability to cope with challenges by offering more resilient farming methods.
The project mainly focuses on local poultry breeds, which are better suited to their native environments.
This approach is especially beneficial for small-scale farmers in underserved areas, helping them boost their income and provide food for their communities.
The core concept involves developing a new, sustainable nutritional formula for poultry farming, with insects playing a key role in a circular economy model.
The project aims to reduce the environmental impact of livestock feed, improve animal health and welfare, and promote collaboration between different stakeholders, with a special focus on gender equality and empowering women in agriculture.
During the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2024, Slow Food’s major event in Turin from September 26 to 30, experts will gather for a conference titled “Feeding the Future: Alternative Solutions for Sustainable Poultry Farming.”
Attendees will learn how these innovative farming methods can help create a more eco-friendly and resilient food system, especially in Mediterranean areas.
The event will feature speakers from different backgrounds, veterinarians, researchers, and producers, who will share ideas and discuss the future of poultry farming.
Topics include preserving poultry breed diversity, using agroecology in farming, raising larvae as a resource, and improving product labeling for sustainable farming.
This conference will also provide an opportunity for participants to discuss challenges and find shared solutions for the future of sustainable poultry farming.
Slow Food has been a partner in the SUSTAvianFEED project, which started in 2021 and involves several organisations across four Mediterranean countries.
The project is part of the PRIMA program, supported by the European Union. Collaborators include universities and organizations from Spain, Italy, Tunisia, and Turkey.
END
English 