Trends and developments
As a company, we are not separate from the world around us. Developments in the food sector, European livestock farming and society call for us to anticipate what is happening around us. It’s only in this way that we can remain successful and properly meet the social challenges we are faced with as a company. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has required actions from us at short notice, but at the same time placed existing trends and developments under a magnifying glass, which will have an impact on our business operations in the longer term. Together, those insights will shape the subsequent steps that our organisation and its individual subsidiaries take.
THERE IS A GROWING GLOBAL POPULATION
THIS REQUIRES MORE FOOD PRODUCTION.
The global population is expected to be 9.8 billion by 2050. There are going to be lots of extra mouths to feed in a relatively short time. At the same time, global prosperity is increasing. Animal protein that is produced in a safe, affordable and sustainable way can play an essential role in meeting this increasing demand.
AT THE SAME TIME, INCREASING ATTENTION IS BEING PAID TO
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH.
With the growing demand for food, the demand for natural raw materials is also increasing. Land, water, phosphates and fossil fuels are expected to become increasingly scarce. At the same time, many people worldwide have no or poor access to adequate and healthy food. According to the figures from the FAO, more than 800 million people suffer from hunger every day and over 1 million people are malnourished. On the other hand, almost 2 billion people are overweight, 650 million of whom are suffering from obesity.
THIS MEANS THAT INCREASINGLY HIGH DEMANDS WILL BE IMPOSED ON FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS.
We must move towards a more sustainable food system in which natural raw materials are used as much as possible and circular solutions are sought. The new generation of farmers, food producers and its employees must search for innovative production methods to limit the negative climate impact. Good training is a must in that regard. The route towards a more sustainable food system requires flexibility and resilience in order to respond in the short and long term to the impact of climate change and to utilise the opportunities that arise as a result of this. At the same time, the available food must be distributed more effectively, food waste and therefore the unnecessary loss of raw materials, must be prevented as much as possible. In order to achieve this, close cooperation is needed with chain partners and other stakeholders. From producer to consumer, everyone in the food chain has an important role to play in that process.
CLIMATE GOALS REQUIRE FAR-REACHING STEPS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT.
Various agreements have been made internationally in order to cushion the impact of climate change and to limit further global warming. The agreements from the Paris Agreement of the UN (COP21), which were made five years ago, entered into force in 2020. Reducing emissions is a key part of this. The Netherlands has also committed itself to these agreements and translated them into national objectives. An effort is expected from each sector, including livestock farming. At the end of 2020, the European Union raised these climate objectives. By 2030, the EU must emit 55, not 40, percent less CO2 than in 1990. The question is to what extent this will be transposed within the Dutch Climate Act.
TECHNICOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS MUST CONTRIBUTE TO MORE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.
A critical look is currently being taken in Europe at livestock farming in relation to environmental problems. The focus in the public debate is primarily on the costs and the impact of the production of plant-based foods compared to food that contains ingredients of animal origin. The reduction of European livestock is mentioned as an important element in the reduction of emissions and the achievement of EU objectives.
However, this overlooks the facts that European livestock production is among the most efficient in the world, as stated in ‘Future of EU livestock: how to contribute to a sustainable agricultural sector’, a report published by the European Commission in July 2020. The report argues that we should actually be preventing the production (and the accompanying effects) of animal proteins being moved from Europe to other parts of the world where the production is less efficient with a higher carbon footprint as a result. The European Commission argues that innovation must be at the heart of European livestock farming. By focusing on technological innovations, the processes in animal protein chains can be made more efficient and therefore more sustainable, as a result of which room will be left for nature and biodiversity.
DIETS MUST REMAIN SUSTAINABLE, VARIED AND FULL OF NUTRITIONAL VALUE
The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) is fully committed to the transition to circular agriculture. This is an agricultural system in which nothing is wasted and where residual waste flows are used to maximum effect. Animals play an important role in this, argue experts from the Dutch Wageningen University & Research, because they can convert residual waste flows that are not (or no longer) suitable for human consumption into food with a high nutritional value. Examples include eggs, dairy and meat. However, there are big differences in the use of animal products worldwide, varying from overconsumption to considerable protein deficiencies. It is obvious that we are moving on a global scale towards a more circular, moderate animal protein consumption that is in keeping with a healthy lifestyle.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE VANDRIE GROUP
As a producer in the animal protein chain, the VanDrie Group wants to play its role and take responsibility in terms of contributing to the food supply for a growing global population, with an eye for our people and our impact on animals and our climate. Trends and developments have a direct effect on the VanDrie Group. At the same time, these opportunities offer scope for us to realise our ambitions and create (added) value. On the one hand by means of our core activity – producing high-quality, safe and nutritious animal proteins – and on the other hand by focusing our role as chain coordinator on (progress and) sustainability in each link of our chain.
If we want to contribute to a sustainable food chain and achieving sustainable and healthy diets, each link in our chain must perform optimally. It requires us to anticipate developments that lie ahead of us and not to lose sight of the course we have set towards 2025. Our strategic pillars form the basis for creating added value and capitalising on opportunities, in which continuous development, dialogue, collaboration and adjustment are a given. In the chapter About the VanDrie Group, we go into more detail about that.
Our market position
We limit the impact on the environment and the surroundings, we optimise our raw material flows and we prevent waste.
Sustainability
We limit the impact on the environment and the surroundings, we optimise our raw material flows and we prevent waste.
Animal health and welfare
We safeguard the intrinsic value of animals in the entire chain and improve animal health in general, and in doing so reduce the use of antibiotics.
Food safety
We use our unique track & trace system,
expand our quality policy and limit risks of food safety violations.
Good employment practices
We train our employees to meet the high demands required by law and society.