UK dairy sector tightens requirements for soy and palm-based feed ingredients

From December 30, 2026, feed supplied to the UK dairy sector is expected to meet recognised deforestation-free sourcing requirements. The position was announced by Dairy UK, which represents processors and cooperatives handling around 80% of the country’s milk production.

The requirements cover soybeans, soymeal, soy hulls, palm oil and palm kernel expeller. They will apply both to individual feed ingredients and to compound and blended feeds.

Suppliers will be expected to demonstrate compliance through the UK Agricultural Industries Confederation’s Sustainable Commodities Scheme or equivalent systems. This is expected to increase demand for traceable and certified feed ingredients.

Dairy UK also plans to move towards fully deforestation- and conversion-free feed sourcing. The industry is working with feed suppliers to further develop certification standards.

The move comes as businesses prepare for EUDR, which introduces stricter traceability and due diligence requirements for products linked to deforestation risk. For UK producers exporting dairy products to the EU, verified sourcing of feed ingredients will therefore become increasingly important.

Tags: UK, soybean, Milk, compound feed