5% Non-Organic Protein Feed Ingredients

In the December 2025 issue of the OF&G Technical Newsletter we informed operators of the upcoming changes to the provision allowing the use of 5% non-organic protein in the diets of non-herbivores (pigs and poultry).

For clarity from 1 January 2026 the use of 5% non-organic protein feeds in line with Article 43 of Assimilated Regulation 889/2008 will only be permitted for ‘young animals’, young animals being pigs at less than 35kg liveweight and poultry less than 30 weeks of age.

Defra has now confirmed it will allow Control Bodies to take a reasoned and proportionate approach to enforcement of this change in the requirements. It has stated that ‘where poultry operators are not compliant with these new requirements from 1 January 2026 due to taking a legitimate and reasoned approach to protecting the health and welfare of their flocks, they shall work with operators to ensure compliance is established by the end of a 14-week transition period ending on 9 April 2026’.

With this in mind poultry operators should now be taking steps to ensure they are complaint with these new rules at the earliest opportunity and no later than 9 April 2026.

If you have any queries or concern you should contact your Certification Officer.