Secretary General
EMFEMA
In the complex world of animal nutrition, minerals play a vital, yet often underappreciated, role. From sustaining animal health to supporting productivity, macro-minerals and trace elements are indispensable in livestock diets. At the heart of advocating for these essential ingredients in Europe is EMFEMA — the European Manufacturers of Feed Minerals Association. Founded in 1996, EMFEMA occupies a unique position as the only EU-wide organization focusing specifically on mineral products within the feed sector.
Minerals are ever-present in animal feed, whether in trace amounts or as major dietary components. Despite their ubiquity, they are often overlooked in both policy discussions and public perception. EMFEMA seeks to remedy this oversight by advocating for a regulatory environment that supports safe, sustainable, and economically viable mineral use. Acting as the “feed home” for EU mineral producers, EMFEMA is not only an interface between industry and institutions but also a key partner in safeguarding food chain resilience.
NAVIGATING A COMPLEX LANDSCAPE
The feed sector is notoriously intricate, governed by layers of scientific, legislative, and trade considerations. For many mineral producers — whose activities often span various industries such as construction, electronics, and pharmaceuticals — feed represents only a segment of their business. Within this niche, EMFEMA ensures that the voice of feed-focused mineral producers is heard, understood, and supported at EU and international levels.
Minerals occupy a peculiar and sometimes ambiguous position in regulatory frameworks. They exist at the crossroads of feed materials and additives, straddling various chemical legislations. The classification, handling, and authorization of mineral substances for feed use often involve complex safety, environmental, and technical evaluations. EMFEMA’s role is to navigate this maze and advocate for proportionate, science-based regulation that secures both safety and access.
STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
To be effective in its mission, EMFEMA prioritizes agile and targeted engagement with policymakers, scientists, and partner organizations. It is a member of FEFAC (the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation) and maintains close ties with regulatory bodies at the European Commission, EFSA, and national authorities. This proactive, collaborative approach is essential in addressing the pressing challenges facing the mineral feed sector.
Two overarching issues define the current landscape: Preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability and securing access to the EU market. Together, these challenges shape EMFEMA’s strategic focus.
PREPAREDNESS AND STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
In recent years, the geopolitical context has grown increasingly unstable, with global supply chains experiencing frequent and severe disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic, energy crises, and geopolitical tensions have exposed Europe’s vulnerability in securing key raw materials. For feed ingredients that rely on imports, often as a result of commercial motivations, this instability poses a serious threat to the continuity of animal production.
As a result, the EU is shifting its rhetoric from passive support for a “level playing field” to an active pursuit of strategic autonomy. For decades, reliance on low-cost imports undercut European producers, weakening local industries and supply resilience. EMFEMA supports the emerging recognition that autonomy — the ability to source and process critical materials within Europe — is essential to long-term sustainability and food security.
This doesn’t mean rejecting international trade. Some raw materials are inherently scarce in Europe and must be imported. But it does mean reassessing our capacity to develop domestic sources. Unfortunately, opening or extending mineral extraction operations in Europe has become extremely difficult due to public opposition, environmental constraints, and regulatory burdens. The reality is that ensuring domestic access to essential minerals will require political will, societal compromise, and investment — particularly in times of global uncertainty.
THE REGULATORY PARADOX: SAFETY VS. AVAILABILITY
Market access is the second major concern. The EU’s feed additive regulation is one of the most comprehensive and safety-focused frameworks in the world. While this provides strong consumer and animal protections, it also presents a growing set of challenges for mineral producers.
Some trace elements with decades-long records of safe use — such as selenium — are facing mounting regulatory hurdles. Environmental risk assessments, for instance, are increasingly demanding. While important in principle, these assessments sometimes extend beyond what seems proportionate to actual risk, particularly when they endanger access to basic nutritional components.
This dynamic creates a paradox: Regulations designed to ensure safety are, in some cases, undermining availability. For niche minerals or substances used in non-mainstream animal categories, the cost and complexity of authorization can exceed the potential market value. Even more problematic is the perception of regulatory uncertainty. When mineral producers view the EU feed market as unwelcoming or unprofitable, they redirect products to other applications or geographies — reducing supply options for European livestock producers.
A CALL FOR PROPORTIONALITY AND REFORM
EMFEMA strongly believes that the EU regulatory framework needs an urgent recalibration. In particular, the authorization process for feed additives should be revised to introduce more proportionality, predictability, and socioeconomic context into decision-making.
For more than five years, discussions about revising the regulation have been on the European Commission’s agenda, yet progress remains slow. EMFEMA urges regulators to recognize the growing impact of overregulation and to address the unintended consequences it creates — especially when it threatens the supply of vital nutrients for animals.
Revisions must not compromise safety, but they must also reflect economic realities and ensure that authorization processes are accessible and appealing to a diverse range of producers. Without such reforms, the EU risks losing not just supply diversity, but its strategic autonomy in mineral sourcing.
EMFEMA’S ROLE: A SMALL PLAYER WITH A STRATEGIC VOICE
Though EMFEMA may be a relatively small player within the broader feed industry, it occupies a strategic position. By bringing together specialized mineral producers and serving as their voice in Brussels and beyond, EMFEMA is helping to ensure that Europe’s livestock sector can continue to rely on a steady, safe, and sustainable supply of mineral nutrients.
As the EU continues to grapple with geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain fragility, and the green transition, securing access to essential feed minerals is not just an industry concern — it is a matter of food security, economic resilience, and strategic foresight.
In this mission, EMFEMA stands ready to collaborate, propose, and drive forward practical solutions that balance safety with availability, and regulation with realism.
