The European Union aims to reduce its reliance on imported soybeans and oilseeds to safeguard the development of its livestock industry.

As the executive body of the bloc, the European Commission aims for 35% of oilseeds and protein crops used for animal feed to be cultivated domestically in the EU by 2035. According to the bloc’s livestock strategy and protein plan released on Tuesday, this figure was 25% last year. The EU is seeking to reduce its dependence on imports from the Americas and plans to use trade negotiations to boost European agriculture while strictly enforcing EU food safety standards.