The block session entitled “The Meat Industry Faces Sustainability Challenges” will be moderated by Professor Neville Gregory, scientific advisor of the OPIC. Dr. Siem Korver, from The Netherlands, representative of the European Livestock and Meat Trading Union (UECBV), will talk about the fact that the meat chain’s sustainability is a must in the market. According to this expert, "Markets and society’s demands are changing all over the world. Sustainability is a prerequisite and an opportunity for the future of the meat chain and, thus, for the meat business. This presentation will offer an overview of the challenges to be faced by the meat industry to achieve a more sustainable production”.
On the other hand, Mr. Fernando Sampaio, sustainability coordinator of the Brazilian Meat Exportation Industries (ABIEC), will refer to the sustainability challenges of beef in his country. “In recent years, Brazil has become the world’s greatest beef exporter. The Brazilian livestock activity has extended and expanded to new production areas, reaching today the borders of the Amazon rainforest”, he described. “The Brazilian livestock activity and beef industry have become a significant source of foreign currency, offering jobs to thousands of families throughout the whole production chain”. For 2050, the FAO estimates a global population of 9 billion inhabitants, representing a significant growth in the demand for animal protein. To meet such demand, food production should double in the next 40 years. According to Sampaio, “At the same time, the threats posed by climate changes and the society’s concern about the preservation of biodiversity and natural resources is altering consumers’ behavior patterns, which calls for the attention of the food industry as regards production processes. Can Brazil meet this growing demand for animal protein at the global level, accept sustainability challenges, and maintain its position as the greatest beef exporter? We hope we can positively answer this question for the world".
The World Meat Congress will also deal with issues such as “Market Operators in the International Trade”, “Animal Health and Wellbeing”, and “The Future of the Global Meat Industry”. All interested parties are reminded of the 10% discount in early-bird registrations before July 31. For more information, please visit:www.worldmeatcongress2010.com.
