Climate gas emissions in the EU are to be reduced by 55 % by 2030. This also applies to pork production. The pressure to act comes from the financing side (EU taxonomy). There are additional voluntary market initiatives, e.g. from food retailers. However, emissions from pork are also influenced by regulations on the management of nutrient cycles and changes to animal welfare standards (possible increase in emissions).
A reduction in emissions is possible
According to RaboResearch, the carbon footprint per kilogram of pork in Western Europe can be reduced by at least 22 % by 2030. This scenario assumes the use of 100 % deforestation-free soy for pig feed, an increased use of by-products and local feed components, an increase in feed efficiency and daily weight gains and better manure management. 8 % of the reduction in emissions will be due to “normal progress”, e.g. increased use of renewable energy and productivity gains along the entire chain.
Feed and manure - hotspots of greenhouse gas emissions
As feed and manure are the largest sources of emissions in the supply chain, they also offer the greatest potential for reduction. In conventional pig farming systems in Western Europe, feed (production, processing, transportation and land use change) is responsible for 48 % of total supply chain emissions. Emissions from pig farming (manure, digestion, energy consumption) account for 40 %, and those from the end of fattening (processing, transportation) for 12 %. However, there are major differences between European countries and individual supply chains. Fluctuations between pig farms can also be relatively large. How much greenhouse gas will be released by pork production in the future depends largely on the level of production.
There are three starting points for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from animal feed:
- Deforestation-free feed. The elimination of the land-use change element from animal feed is becoming a key issue in the European animal feed industry. Soy from deforestation-free cultivation has a CO2 footprint that is up to 90 % lower. Another alternative is the use of other protein-rich components, such as poultry meal and protein-rich crops (e.g. lupin, grass protein). For example, the CO2 footprint of poultry meal is only a quarter of that of soybean meal.
- Increased use of residual materials. The use of by-products and “waste” from the food industry is another way of reducing emissions. In Europe, the untapped potential is relatively high. In 2017, only 5 % of total food losses and food waste in the EU were converted into animal feed.
- Improving feed conversion. Breeding programs aim to continuously improve feed conversion and thus reduce emissions on the pig farm. In the EU finishing strongholds, feed conversion has increased by around 4 % in the last ten years. The use of precision feeding techniques has the potential to further increase feed efficiency.
Optimizing liquid manure management
By removing liquid manure from the stables more frequently instead of storing it for months in the slurry cellar, greenhouse gas emissions from liquid manure can be reduced by 80 to 90 %. Combined with utilization in biogas plants, the carbon footprint can be further improved. In addition, reducing emissions at source often results in a better climate in the barn, which leads to better animal welfare, animal health and ultimately also productivity.
Conclusion
There are already a number of options available today for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, these are usually associated with higher costs and therefore require new business models. One prerequisite for this is measurement and billing systems for greenhouse gas emissions that are recognized by the market and society. In addition, pig producers must be offered incentives based on the measurements. Ultimately, these incentives must come from the market, for example in the form of price premiums, long-term agreements and retail concepts. But also from the state in the form of subsidies and more predictable measures that promote the introduction of certain technologies (e.g. biogas manure bonus).