Organic derogations caused by formulator “cop-outs”

Hi Peak Feeds argued that derogations for organic feed were caused by “cop-outs by formulators” not ingredient shortages, this week.

A spokesman for Hi Peak Feeds, based in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, said that formulators “lack either the inclination or the nutritional expertise to deliver all organic diets”.

The company claimed that providing a 100% organic diet, with the correct amount of amino acids, was “a greater challenge organically than conventionally, but in no way insurmountable”.

Experts have blamed the current organic feed shortage crisis on a poor global harvest, the Ukrainian embargo on grain exports and an EU regulatory increase in organic content in feed from 75% to 85%. 

But Joseph Magadi, Hi Peak Feeds poultry nutritionist, argued: “An organic solution can be achieved by formulating from a wide range of organic protein sources.  Problems occur when there is a reliance on a narrow range of organic ingredients, sometimes no more than two or three.  This invariably has adverse affects on production and welfare because of nutritional imbalance.”

Hi Peak Feeds manufactures a range of 100% organic diets despite the EU-wide 15% derogation on non-organic content.