News Release

For Immediate Release

International Production & Processing Expo

Atlanta, Ga. - January 26, 2023


Contacts:
Gwen Venable, 678.514.1971, gvenable@uspoultry.org, (USPOULTRY)
Victoria Broehm, 703.558.3579, vbroehm@afia.org, (AFIA)
Sarah Little, 202.587.4263, slittle@meatinstitute.org, (NAMI)

USDA Efforts and Industry Sustainability Program Advancements Highlighted During the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit at the 2023 IPPE

“People worry climate policy will be done to them and not with them,” remarked Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), during the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit held at the 2023 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), along with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the North American Meat Institute (NAMI).

During his presentation on “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Grants: Insights into the Benefits the Animal Agriculture Industry Can Realize,” Bonnie noted that “the USDA has a program that will make a big difference in the next decade regarding climate change and the approach USDA is taking, which will be important.” He provided insight into the program, which has $3.1 billion for projects to be developed in the next three to four years. Producers will have their own programs, production and projects, and incentives will be available to the producers, with USDA measuring the benefits. There will also be an opportunity for private sector investment. Bonnie remarked that the projects will help expand markets for America’s climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and offer direct and meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers.

As part of his “Protein PACT 2023: Moving from Baselines to Progress” presentation, Eric Mittenthal, chief strategy officer for the NAMI, provided a continuous improvement report for 2022 that included pioneering the first sector-wide dataset and setting transparent goals. He also provided insight into 2023 top priorities.

Lara Moody, executive director for IFEEDER, discussed navigating sustainability to support the feed industry and its stakeholders. She provided an update on IFEEDER’s road map and toolkit, remarking that the road map project is IFEEDER’s framework for supporting and advancing animal food industry sustainability efforts. She defined success as “the U.S. feed industry delivering world-class sustainability performance throughout its customers’ supply chains,” as well as reviewed the strategic objectives for next steps.

Ryan Bennett, executive director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) and International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA), discussed advancing sustainability and welfare as a supply chain. He provided an update that included progress on the US-RSPE Sustainability Framework as well as IPWA’s key welfare indicators.

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About IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

About AFIA
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization's membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry-manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

About NAMI
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. Formed from the 2015 merger of the American Meat Institute (AMI) and North American Meat Association (NAMA), the Institute has a rich, century-long history and provides essential member services including legislative, regulatory, scientific, international and public affairs representation. NAMI's mission is to shape a public policy environment in which the meat and poultry industry can produce wholesome products safely, efficiently and profitably. Together, the Institute's members produce the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb and poultry and the equipment, ingredients and services needed for the highest quality products.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation, speaking to a large crowd during the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit at the 2023 IPPE.

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