Assessment of the impact of a decrease in crude protein content in monogastric feed on oilseeds meals and legumes, prospective approach

The present study evaluates the consequences of a change in pig and poultry protein nutrition through compound feed over time in France, on raw materials consumption, economic performances, and environmental impacts. It has been conducted using the “Prospective Aliments” model by Céréopa, which applies the principles of linear programming at a national scale (France). The study is based on a prospective approach. A decrease of 1 and 2 percentage points in pig and poultry feed crude protein (CP) content is applied (CP-1 or CP-2, respectively). As a consequence, consumptions of raw materials for total French compound feed production change drastically, by using rapeseed meals, over soybean meals (−425 000 t for CP-2) and sunflower meals, and including more grains, with maize replacing wheat. This shows that the feed CP content of commercial feed can be decreased at a national scale, yielding significant environmental benefits. This raises the question of developing an incentive-based policy to absorb potential over costs.