EU project PROFEED aims to cut reliance on imported animal feed protein
The EU-funded PROFEED project, led by the University of Leeds and running until 2030, will look for locally grown plant protein alternatives for livestock feed. Almost 96% of high-protein feed used in Europe is currently imported.
A new research project, PROFEED, has been launched to reduce Europe's dependence on imported protein sources for animal feed. It is led by the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and receives almost €5.5 million from the EU's Horizon Europe research programme. The project will run from October 2026 to September 2030.
According to a European Commission statement, almost 96% of the high-protein feed used in Europe is imported. This leaves local farming vulnerable to supply chain problems, price fluctuations and environmental pressure. The project aims to develop sustainable, locally sourced plant protein alternatives, regional roadmaps and EU-level policy recommendations.
Who is involved
Fifteen partners from eight European countries will take part, linking crop science, farming, feed technology, animal nutrition and policymaking across the whole value chain. The project includes 40 farmers, 10 "lighthouse sites" (hubs that support the development and deployment of innovative solutions) and four "communities of practice" for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Project coordinator Christine Bosch, an associate professor at the University of Leeds, said PROFEED aims to turn protein diversification into an opportunity to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of Europe's feed systems.
How the research will work
More than 130 soyabean, lupin and alfalfa samples will first be screened under controlled conditions, including current and future climate scenarios, to identify the most promising and resilient varieties. These will then be tested in real farming conditions across different European climatic regions, while animal trials will assess their use in feed for pigs, poultry and aquaculture species. Life-cycle and techno-economic analyses will evaluate environmental and socio-economic impacts.
The project will also set up an open-access digital platform for data, tools, training resources and best practices, along with a harmonised European database, policy recommendations and a multilingual Massive Open Online Course for farmers, advisors, industry and policymakers.
