Self-sufficiency in European pig farming must be drastically reduced

The reflection group was set up in 2022 by European Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski for Agriculture. The reason was the malaise in pig farming and the call from various Member States for European support. The European Commission did not respond. Instead, the reflection group was created. It was commissioned to investigate how the sustainability and resilience of pig farming can be increased in terms of socio-economic, environmental, climate, animal health and animal welfare. Less dependent 'Europe wants to remain self-sufficient, but the risks associated with 122 percent self-sufficiency are too great,' says director Evert Hendrikx of the Producers Organization for Pig Farming. When the self-sufficiency rate falls to 105 percent, Europe is less dependent on third markets such as Asia and fewer raw materials need to be imported. The reflection group does not arrive at any shocking findings. The conclusions and recommendations are in line with other reports on the future of pig ...