PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 15 March 2022 – In the past couple of months, FEDIAF has been actively promoting its commitment to environmental sustainability by signing the EU Code of Conduct as well as releasing a position paper on the revision of the renewable energy directive.
The EU Code of Conduct
In January, FEDIAF signed the Code of Conduct following the example of many other organisations, such as FoodDrinkEurope. This Code reflects the goals of the 2020 Farm to ForkStrategy and the European Green Deal, as well as global sustainability targets, such as the UN sustainable development goals. The decision to sign this document was firstly conceived by the members of the FEDIAF Environmental Sustainability Working Group. By signing the Code, FEDIAF will seek to support and contribute to the aspirational objectives that it sets out, where applicable to the pet food sector. Moreover, it subscribes to the Code’s obligations, such as disseminating and promoting it amongst its members to encourage more sustainable practices and explore the possibility of developing sector-specific tools and resources. Finally, FEDIAF will also provide an annual report of its activities as well as pursue dialogue with stakeholders and policy-makers.
FEDIAF Position Paper on the Renewable Energy Directive
In a position paper published in February, FEDIAF welcomed the ambitious climate package and express its support for the mainstreaming of renewable energy across all economic sectors. This choice was justified by the several commitments already made by the organisation’s members in this field. Moreover, the paper highlights that as the EU takes bold steps towards decarbonizing transport, it is important to ensure coherence with established policies such as the circular economy and food and feed security. This is particularly relevant when valuable by-products are used for biofuels, diverting raw materials from sectors that have for decades used them in line with the waste hierarchy.
More specifically, the paper made three main claims. First, it emphasised that essential pet food materials, such as Category 3 animal by-products, should not be diverted towards biofuels. Second, the paper listed and identified social and environmental sustainability issues behind using category 3 animal fats in biofuels. Finally, it stated that renewable energy legislation should regulate the eligibility of feedstock based on broader sustainability concerns.