International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP)

Meats and feeds markets have been severely affected by animal disease outbreaks, including Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and avian influenza. Consequently, consumers are increasingly aware of farming practices, including animal welfare and product quality issues, and markets are subject to stricter food quality standards that include elements of labeling and traceability. Under these circumstances, the common aim for farmers is to improve their income by means of fair and equitable conditions for production and trade. Farmers take a professional approach to commercial farming and consider ethical issues seriously, which is a message consumers need to understand. Additionally, two challenges facing developing countries are meeting international standards for livestock and addressing the impact of import surges of meat products within domestic markets.

Established in 1963, the IFAP Group on Meats and Feeds adopted a World Meat Producers’ Charter in 1979. In October 1986, it held the first World Meats Producers’ Conference in Denver, USA. This was followed by a second World Meats Producers’ Conference in 1993 in Kinross, Scotland.

Activities: Access and availability of markets, animal health, and the control of disease, product quality and tracking, labeling and food safety are among the issues of importance to IFAP member organizations. In addition, the profitability of the sector and the influence of climatic change, droughts and fair and equitable trade are continuous issues being discussed within the group.

Officers 2008-2010:
President: Lourie Bosman (South Africa)

Vice-Presidents: Salima Marzouti (Tunisia), Juan Jose Grigera Naon (Argentina) and Pierre Chevalier (France).

Regional Review of Policy Developments in the Meats and Feeds Sector and the Farmers' Position in Such Developments, Latin America, Dr. Juan José Grigera Naón, Sociedad Rural Argentina

Regional Review of Policy Developments in the Meats and Feeds Sector and the Farmers' Positions in Such Developments, United States of America, Douglas Peterson, U.S. Meats Production, Prices and Policy, National Farmers Union

Report of the IFAP-OIE Informal Consultation

Feedback from Participants in the IFAP-OIE Informal Consultation

Reporting Notes from the IFAP Preparatory Meeting for the IFAP-OIE Consultation

Developments in the Global Meat Market, Irish Food Board

Regional Specific Challenges for Meats and Feeds Farmers for Africa, Mary Anecho (Mrs), NEC Member UNFFE

Policy Developments in the EU in the Meats and Feeds Sector, Mr. Gert Karkov, Danish Farmers

Beef Cattle Market in Latin America, Juan José Grigera Naón, Ph.D., Sociedad Rural Argentina

Meat Production in Brazil, CNA Technical Office

World Epidemiological Overview, Dr. Caroline Planté, OIE Sub-Regional Representation in Brussels

GM crops: Global development and constraints, Gert Karkov, Landbrugsraadet, Denmark

List of Experts on Animal Welfare

IFAP Commodities Conference. Bruges, Belgium, 19-20 April 2005.

Summary of the Plenary Session

Report of the IFAP Meats and Feeds Group, 29 May-4 June, 2004, Wahington D.C. IFAP World Congress.

Report OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare, 23-25 February 2004, Paris. By Susan Redward, Federated Farmers of New Zealand

This bulletin was published quarterly until June 2007. It provided information related to commodities and the activities of the IFAP Secretariat, its members and other relevant international, regional and research organizations.