Feed regulators & industry from around the world discuss critical issues with IFIF & FAO at the 17th International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM) / IFIF launches annual report 2022-2023
On 29-30 January 2024 in Atlanta (US), Government officials and representatives of the feed industry from around the globe gathered for the 17th annual International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM), which was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) to discuss important issues facing the feed sector.
The meeting was opened by IFIF Chairman Ruud Tijssens who welcomed IFRM delegates, stating that “the global feed industry was facing unprecedented challenges in uncertain times”.
Daniela Battaglia, FAO reaffirmed the commitment to this long-standing FAO/IFIF partnership and they decided to keep strengthening their work together to address the issues facing the global feed and food chains.
In light of the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems around the world, Ms. Battaglia emphasised the significance of “collaboration between the public and private sector to address the responsibilities of the livestock and feed sectors.”
“It is remarkable to see what has been achieved over the years with this co-operation: for example, unique public-private voluntary guidelines on the assessment of feed ingredients by ICCF, as well as important science-based work on nutritional solutions to reduce the need for antibiotics, which has been developed to make adequate legislation possible,” Mr. Tijssens said, emphasising the significance of this meeting for both industry and government regulators.
Significant topics like circular feed and innovative ingredients were discussed, and participants have confirmed that cooperation is the only way to continue to supply the global need for food sustainably while ensuring feed and food security.
Additionally, Ms. Battaglia stated, “Feed operators can significantly contribute to the achievement of other critical goals such as the containment of antimicrobial resistance and public, animal, and environmental health as well as to making the animal production and food sectors more responsible and sustainable”
FEFAC President Pedro Cordero was also invited by IFIF to present the joint FEFAC/COPA-COGECA/ FEFANA EU draft code of good practice for green feed labelling, which was well received by global feed regulators and IFIF delegates. Other topics discussed at the 17th IFRM included a workshop on the safe use of circular feed sources, as well as presentations on feed regulatory updates from the European Commission and other countries.
IFIF launches Annual Report 2022/2023
The 2022-2023 IFIF annual report highlights the Federation’s work, partnerships, and accomplishments over the last two years, including an update from IFIF’s national & regional association members from around the globe.
The world has been made aware of the feed industry’s critical role in the food chain by its challenges over the past few years. In this regard, IFIF has persisted in putting a great deal of emphasis on its vision and mission through work focused on the three IFIF strategic pillars of feed safety, sustainability, and professional education/training which represent the organization’s top goals for assisting the global feed sector in moving forward tackling COP-28 and UN Sustainability Agenda goals.