The US Federal Drug Agency (FDA) is giving Quebec-based Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. regulatory clearance to produce a new GMO-free and low carbon animal feed.
The approval gives Agrisoma agricultural license to commercialize a protein byproduct of the Carinata oilseed.
Carinata is currently grown by farmers to produce oil that makes low carbon biofuels for the aviation industry. Agrisoma has discovered a powerful, natural protein inside the Carinata seed which can also be processed to produce a nutritious, low carbon animal feed with overall greenhouse gas emissions significantly lower than animal feed made from other common crops used as feed in the livestock industry.
"This decision places Agrisoma at the forefront of creating a planet-friendly animal feed alternative that helps reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production, poultry, aquaculture and dairy markets, says Steve Fabijanski, President and CEO of Agrisoma.
The livestock industry is responsible for almost 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the production of the animal feed itself is a main contributor to those emissions. Feed made from Carinata has a lower carbon footprint that can substantially reduce the global greenhouse gas emissions and provide a non-GMO choice for the livestock industry.
Fact: Do the math
The livestock industry releases 7 billion tonnes of GHG per year, lowering those GHG emissions by even 1% with lower carbon footprint animal feed would remove the equivalent of 15 million vehicles from the road.
"As the world population grows, there is an increasing demand to improve sustainability and security of our food, the FDA approval of Carinata protein provides our food industry with a new and sustainable animal feed option." says Fabijanski.
Globally, animal feed is estimated to be a $400 US billion industry that is experiencing significant growth to keep pace with the food needs of an increasing global population.
Source: CNW