Organic production: Non-organic protein feed for piglets and young poultry
- Organic production
Summary
The European Commission has informed the Word Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) Committee that it intends to extend the authorisation of limited use of non-organic protein feed (maximum 5% per 12-month period) in raising piglets and poultry under organic production. It proposes to extend the authorisation until 31 December 2036. This 10-year extension is due to severe shortages of organic protein feed on the market(G/TBT/N/EU/1230).
EU to extend authorised use of non-organic protein feed for piglets and young poultry raised under organic production
Draft Commission Delegated Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the authorisation to use non-organic protein feed in the nutrition of piglets and young poultry
Update
The European Commission has informed the Word Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) Committee that it intends to extend the authorisation of limited use of non-organic protein feed (maximum 5% per 12-month period) in raising piglets and poultry under organic production. It proposes to extend the authorisation until 31 December 2036. This 10-year extension is due to severe shortages of organic protein feed on the market(G/TBT/N/EU/1230).
Impacted Products
Organic pork and poultry products
What is changing?
Due to a shortage of organic protein feed, the European Union (EU) currently authorises a maximum of 5% of non-organic protein feed per 12-month period to be fed to piglets up to 35 kg and young poultry under organic production.
The EU proposes to extend this authorisation, currently permitted until 31 December 2026, until 31 December 2036 (amending the date in Regulation 2018/848, Annex II, Part II, 1.9.3.1(c) and 1.9.4.2(c)).
This authorisation also applies to livestock producers in non-EU countries.
Why?
There is insufficient organic protein feed available on the EU market. The EU therefore proposes to extent the authorisation of limited use of non-organic feed by 10 years to allow time to increase production and achieve protein feed autonomy.
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be adopted and published in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Recommended Actions
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the WTO can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU TBT Enquiry Point until 9 October 2026.
Background
Regulation 2018/848 authorises the use of non-organic protein feed produced or prepared without chemical solvents, and providing specific protein compounds, when farmers are unable to obtain protein feed exclusively from organic production because it is not available in sufficient quantity.
In 2023, 2024, and 2025 there has been a shortage of organic protein feed on the EU market. The impact is most acute for piglets and young poultry, which need certain amino acids contained only in protein feed for their growth and welfare.
Decisions regarding the percentage of non-organic feed permitted to be used in organic production are determined by the availability of non-organic feed in the EU, based on information provided by EU Member States.
Livestock producers in non-EU countries must comply with the production rules in Regulation 2018/848 (Art. 45), unless the producing country:
- is recognised to have an equivalent system of production under a trade agreement with the EU (Art. 47), or
- is recognised as equivalent under Regulation 834/2007 and is imported with a certificate of inspection confirming this compliance (this recognition of equivalence is due to expire on 31 December 2026, but the European Commission has proposed an extension to 31 December 2036; see Simplification of organic rules).
Resources
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products
Sources
Draft Commission Delegated Regulation as regards the authorisation to use non-organic protein feed in the nutrition of piglets and young poultry
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EU to extend authorised use of non-organic protein feed for piglets and young poultry raised under organic production
Draft Commission Delegated Regulation as regards the authorisation to use non-organic protein feed in the nutrition of piglets and young poultry
What is changing and why?
The European Commission proposes to extend the authorisation of limited use of non-organic protein feed in raising piglets and poultry under organic production until 31 December 2036. This is because there is insufficient organic protein feed available on the European Union (EU) market.
Producers may continue to use a maximum of 5% of non-organic protein feed per 12-month period for piglets up to 35 kg, and for young poultry.
This authorisation also applies to livestock producers in non-EU countries.
Actions
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the World Trade Organization can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU TBT Enquiry Point until 9 October 2026.
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be adopted and published in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.