OILMEALS AND ANIMAL FLOURS IN FEEDSTUFFS

In 1992 the compound feed industry has produced 109 millions tons of compound feed of which 19 millions tons in France. Given the volume involved, this industry is an important consumer of raw materials. Products with a high level of proteins such as cakes and animal meal/flour are very much required because they provide important nutrients to the animals. As Europe is short of this type of products, they often have to be imported. The CAP reform, the EC/US oilseeds agreement and the GATT negotiations will have important consequences on the feed compounders' purchases which are difficult to assess today. Nevertheless we have to be conscious that the crucial term for co-products, compound feed or products for the consumer is the word << quality >>. Everyone is a piece of this chain and has its own role to play.