Global Meat Industry Focuses on Sustainability and Collaboration at World Meat Congress

The World Meat Congress recently convened in Maastricht, Netherlands, for the first time in five years, with a host of thought leaders and organizations focused on the global meat consumer in attendence.
The World Meat Congress recently convened in Maastricht, Netherlands, for the first time in five years, with a host of thought leaders and organizations focused on the global meat consumer in attendence.
(World Meat Congress)

The World Meat Congress recently convened in Maastricht, Netherlands, for the first time in five years, with a host of thought leaders and organizations focused on the global meat consumer in attendence, such as the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The event is organized by the International Meat Secretariat (IMS).

Erin Borror, USMEF vice president of economic analysis, also serves as co-chair of the IMS economics committee. In a recent USMEF release, she notes it’s important for the global meat industry to come together on common issues.

“That's really the value of the International Meat Secretariat, is joining together the global voice for meat and coming around common issues, opportunities, challenges,” Borror says. “In my mind, one of the most important roles is working with the global bodies—the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, the Codex, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)—and having IMS as a collaborator and as a global voice for the meat industry is invaluable.”

While a number of topics were discussed at the event, a major focus of the World Meat Congress is sustainability, USMEF reports.

Borror notes topics, such as animal welfare, greenhouse gas emissions and how they are accounted for, are top of mind, as well as the need for science-based standards, specifically on animal health. Meanwhile, work with WOAH and the Codex have been instrumental in setting standards for food safety, she adds.

“Those are the areas where I think our collaboration has the most value,” Borror says. “As we think about things like the UN efforts on emissions and such, having the meat industry voice united from around the world, and more, more outspoken, has value.”
 

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.