DVT annual conference 2025: Feeding economy demands reliability and cooperation after a change of politics
With around 300 participants, the 25th annual conference of the German Association of Tierefärzen e. V. (DVT) in Berlin. DVT President Cord Schiplage opened the event with a clear appeal to politics and society under the leading topic “The future of sustainable animal husbandry and animal nutrition – a snapshot after the change of policy”.
Change of politics and expectations of the industry
“Germany chose in spring. The government has been in office for 128 days. We are waiting for decisions and have already taken note of some. Currently the household consultations for 2026,” said the DVT President
He made it clear that the announced change of policy for the industry was already noticeable. At the same time, he referred to the need for clear decisions in all areas that affect agriculture, nutrition and feed economy – from environmental and economic policy to international trade agreements. Schiplage also sees urgent need for action in reducing bureaucracy. Boarding regulation and complex regulations such as sustainability reporting or approval processes would also burden companies and weaken their competitiveness.
The feed economy needs clear framework conditions for investments to consolidate its role in the food chain. “We are always affected because nutrition is systematic and the supply chains are influenced,” emphasized Schiplage.
In his speech, Schiplage dealt with the current situation of the feed industry. While the animal stocks in Germany declined in the long term, mixed feed production in the 2024/25 financial year was able to easily increase to 22.2 million tons. “However, the small trend reversal must not hide the general volatile overall location,” said the DVT President.
The central discussion point is also the supply of protein. Schiplage made it clear: “It is about a fundamental debate about the pros and cons. I cannot understand this argument, because it is undisputed worldwide that we need both and cannot eat the world population worldwide alone.”
He referred to the role of feeding economy when using CO products that are not suitable for human nutrition and emphasized the connection between nutrition protection and climate protection. At the same time, he emphasized that circular economy and innovations such as new breeding techniques are important building blocks to ensure sustainability and competitiveness at the same time.
25 years of DVT: With passion economy
The annual conference is also part of the 25th anniversary of the DVT. Schiplage recalled the merger of the previous associations in 2000 and the role of the DVT since then as a leading voice of the feed economy. The bundling of the forces in a business association made it possible to represent tasks and interests more powerfully and to establish the close, trusting connection to politics, administration and society. Since then, the DVT has been the largest representative of the feed economy in Germany and has established itself as a fixture within the food chain. At the same time, he appealed to everyone who deals with the questions of food and food chain: “We need a greater passion for rural areas and trust in solutions that are developed by the economy itself,” said Schiplage with a view to the coming years. “For this, the feed economy in Germany is ready as a partner of agriculture.”
The German Association Tierefälung e. V. (DVT), as an independent business association, represents the interests of companies that produce and act, and thus act.
*Region North: Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Bremen, North Rhine-Westphalia / Region South: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland / Region East: Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia