The global conversation around food security, sustainability, and agriculture just got sharper and it starts with what we’re feeding our animals
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has kicked off its 2025 Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators, placing safe, sustainable feed production at the heart of agricultural transformation.
In a sector worth over US$400bn annually, producing 1 billion tonnes of feed and employing more than 250,000 professionals worldwide, the stakes have never been higher. The message from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu was clear: “This is where the role of feed regulators is crucial and is why FAO has convened this Global Forum for Animal Feed and Feed Regulators.”
Held at FAO headquarters in Rome as part of Livestock Week, the two-day forum brought together policymakers, scientists, producers, and industry experts to address a critical but often overlooked pillar of food production animal feed. The Director-General called for stronger cooperation to boost feed availability, manage grasslands wisely, and reduce the environmental footprint of livestock systems, which are essential to both rural livelihoods and planetary health.
At the heart of the discussions: safety, traceability, and sustainability. Contaminants like mycotoxins, microplastics, and chemical residues don’t just harm animals - they threaten human health, disrupt international trade, and undermine consumer trust. Poorly managed feed chains contribute to deforestation, emissions, and biodiversity loss. And in many regions, feed legislation still lags behind international standards such as the Codex Alimentarius.
“There’s a need for science-based policies and regulations to manage feed systems wisely – protecting health, supporting trade, boosting productivity, and building resilience,” QU Dongyu stated. He also emphasised the importance of inclusivity, ensuring small and medium-sized farmers gain access to safe, affordable feed and services.
This year’s forum builds on momentum from 2023, offering a platform for real-world solutions. Key themes include increasing feed availability through locally-sourced ingredients, such as pasture, grains, and circular economy inputs, and scaling up innovative feed technologies that enhance productivity while lowering environmental costs.
One of the key outcomes? The identification of FAO Reference Centres for Animal Feed – collaborative hubs linking regulators, laboratories, researchers, and private stakeholders to fast-track innovation and global best practices in feed safety.
With plans to host the forum every two years, FAO is setting a rhythm for global collaboration and accountability in the feed sector. For farmers, feed manufacturers, and regulators alike, this marks a vital step toward a more secure, equitable, and climate-smart agricultural future.