The Challenge


Project Scope


To ensure the sustainability of feeding livestock in the Mediterranean area by using alternative feed resources based on local agricultural production and a positive impact of their use on animal productivity and on the quality of the products. The use of food industry by-products as secondary feedstuffs in circular-economy schemes will transform livestock production into a more sustainable system which responds to the increasing demand for animal-derived products such as meat, dairy or eggs (the Mediterranean’s population is expected to reach 560 million people in 2030). The generation of consolidated value chains based on the circular economy principles will meet the expectations of consumers and citizens in a context of environmental awareness, reducing external dependency, while providing a fair income and good working conditions to producers.



Overall Objectives


  • To develop and adopt alternative animal feeds, setting up a circular economy approach in the livestock production by turning food by-products into high value secondary feedstuff for animal feed
  • To increase the Mediterranean livestock sustainability by valorizing local food industry by-products to reduced environmental impact and costs.

Case study 1

Assessment of the use of grape stem from wineries as a second-generation feedstuff to produce a new feed ingredient for ruminants (dairy sheep and cattle).
AZTI / Spain.

Case study 3

Assessment of the use of olive cake from olive oil industry to produce an improved feed ingredient for poultry (broiler chicken).

HUSD / Egypt.