6 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2026 World population and animal product consumption are growing. As new feed markets emerge, certification will be the key to a fair and sustainable industry. The start to 2026 has shown the world is still unpredictable. Legislative uncertainty, unexpected tariffs, supply disruption, and market volatility are not exactly desirable in an already competitive feed market with tight margins. However, we should not lose sight of two important trends. Firstly, over the coming years we will see significant population growth, notably in Africa and Asia, which will increase the output for poultry and meat products by 13% by 2034. And secondly, while rising demand for safe feed will create opportunities in emerging markets, it will further strain our sector’s impact on the planet. CREDIBILITY AND TRUST For more than 30 years we have fostered the world’s most widely used scheme for feed safety, now with over 20,000 certified companies. In that time, incidents have significantly dropped, and the potential for contamination to spread through the feed chain is much reduced. Confidence in feed companies goes hand in hand with maintaining a strong feed safety culture -- it is something we should never be complacent about. In that way, certification does more than address contamination risks, it safeguards the credibility of a feed chain that connects farmers, traders, processors, and manufacturers across continents. Certification provides a common language, translating requirements into auditable practice, building trust between trading partners, and reducing the need for duplicate checks. In volatile times, that predictability is invaluable. And, more recently our community has been asking us to do more. Independent research firm Ipsos asked our stakeholders what changes they want to see, and 85% said they want us to increase the scope of our work on sustainability. That message is clear; safety remains a prerequisite, but the expectations of the market have expanded. Sustainability is not a passing trend; it is central to many companies’ business continuity strategies, and another way to stand out in a competitive industry. Retailers, food brands, and financial institutions increasingly expect transparency on emissions, deforestation risk, responsible sourcing, and circularity. This is an opportunity for feed and additive companies. Certification can support this transition. As an independent organisation, we can – and are – convening the right stakeholders and setting clear standards, aligned with international benchmarks, that help companies embed sustainability into everyday commercial practice. Like with feed safety, we can put in place impartial and workable data requirements that can be validated throughout the chain, CERTIFICATION IS A DRIVER FOR SAFE & SUSTAINABLE FEED, WORLDWIDE Martine Boon Managing Director GMP+ International LEAD ARTICLE
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