Pigmeat
Leader: Christoph Zimmer
This transition network is focused on increasing the use of European-grown grain legumes in the production of pig meat. It is composed of four actor groups involved in the pig meat value chain:
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German Soybean Association
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Schwaebisch Hall Producers
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German Pea and Bean Network
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Europe Soya Value Chain Development Group
Pig meat Pigmeat is the most important meat source in the EU with an annual consumption of around 38 kg per person (2018). Pig production is dependent on soya imports and a significant proportion of all imported soy goes to feeding pigs. The demand for soya is high and this high demand is difficult to meet from regional sources alone. Moreover, due to the nutritional advantage of soya over other protein sources, it is difficult to find an alternative. At the same time, consumers increasingly favour regional to global chains of production. This provides an opportunity to drive the increased production of regionally grown protein sources for pig meat production.
The main goal is to identify and access existing knowledge in the consortium to describe prototype value chains for high quality pig products, focusing on challenges in all steps of the value chain, from sourcing, processing and feed management to cost effectiveness, meat quality and marketing. Furthermore, possible solutions and the necessary legal and political frameworks will be described.
The overarching ambition is to support the development of a European market of regionally grown grain legumes for feed in pig meat production. This includes identifying and validating innovative feeding systems through field trials that combine sources of protein and amino acids. This transition network will work closely with the Poultry Transition Network.