IFIF and FAO strengthen collaboration at 24th Annual Meeting
Rome, Italy – The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held their 24th Annual Meeting, reaffirming their strong partnership on critical issues to advance safe, nutritious, and sustainable feed and food in the framework of the sustainable transformation of the livestock sector.
The meeting was officially opened by Dr. Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director-General and Director of the Animal Production and Health Division at FAO, together with Constance Cullman, newly elected Chair of IFIF. Welcoming delegates representing over 80% of global compound feed production, they underlined the importance of continued public–private collaboration to strengthen sustainable livestock transformation and ensure safe feed and food systems worldwide.
Dr. Tiensin emphasized the “vital role of the feed and livestock sector in supporting the global transformation towards sustainability,” noting that “livestock production provides essential nutrition and economic opportunities worldwide and must be part of science-based, collaborative solutions. The vision of FAO is guided by the four betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life – leaving no one behind.
That is why the role and responsibility of the feed sector is so significant. Together, we must not only discuss the challenges but also demonstrate solutions – producing more with less, reducing environmental impact, and driving sustainable transformation. The long-standing collaboration between FAO and IFIF is built on strong commitment and action, and it is essential to ensuring safe, nutritious, and sustainable food systems worldwide.”
IFIF Chair Cullman added “it is a privilege to welcome delegates to our 24th Annual Meeting with FAO. For over 20 years, IFIF and FAO have built one of the strongest public-private partnerships in the agrifood chain, working together on initiatives such as the International Feed Regulators Meeting, the Manual of Good Practices for the Feed Sector, and capacity-building projects.
Through our collaboration with FAO, we are building practical, science-based solutions that ensure safe, nutritious, and sustainable feed and food systems for a growing global population. This partnership is a model of how public and private sectors can work together effectively.
This collaboration has delivered real results – from advancing feed safety to supporting sustainable livestock systems – and it is a model of how industry and international organizations can come together to make a global impact. I look forward to building on this strong foundation with FAO to ensure the feed industry continues to drive safe, sustainable, and innovative solutions for the future.”
Daniela Battaglia, Livestock Production Officer at FAO “commended the strong FAO-IFIF collaboration, particularly in developing capacities to increase feed safety and contain antimicrobial resistance. FAO is committed to working with the private sector and all feed operators, who can make a valuable contribution to building more responsible and sustainable livestock and agri-food sectors, while ensuring public and animal health and welfare.”
Key Meeting Highlights and Initiatives Discussed
The 24th IFIF FAO Annual Meeting featured updates on joint activities and new initiatives underlining IFIF and FAO’s collaboration:
- The Role of the Feed Industry – Road to 2050: IFIF Chair Constance Cullman highlighted IFIF’s strategic initiative to engage stakeholders around the world to safeguard food security and position animal feed as a key solution provider to global sustainable livestock.
- Animal Nutritional Innovation: IFIF presented initiatives promoting animal health and welfare through nutrition. FAO highlighted its interest to engage the feed sector in the FAO-led RENOFARM initiative and shared work on innovative animal nutrition and feed practices to reduce the need of antimicrobial use.
- Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership: IFIF & FAO reviewed progress under the LEAP Partnership, including the launch of new guidelines on ecosystem services and circular bioeconomy and the transition to LEAP Phase 5.
- Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation: FAO presented progress on the Global Plan of Action, which provides a roadmap for sustainable livestock sector development.
- Review of the FAO–IFIF Work Plan 2025 and proposals for 2026: FAO’s Daniela Battaglia and IFIF’s Alexandra de Athayde outlined joint activities, including ongoing capacity building for feed safety, and sustainability projects.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for moderated open discussions across sessions, facilitating valuable dialogue between the private and public sectors on priority areas for action.
Ongoing Partnership and Future Collaboration
In the closing session Constance Cullman and Daniela Battaglia, emphasized the importance of collaborative action in 2026 and beyond, including joint work on IFIF’s Road to 2025 strategic initiative, sustainability, antimicrobial resistance, and feed safety.
About IFIF
The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) is made up of national and regional feed associations, feed related organizations, and corporate members from around the globe, representing over 80% of the feed production worldwide. IFIF provides provide a unified voice and leadership to represent and promote the global feed industry as an essential participant in the food chain that provides sustainable, safe, nutritious and affordable food for a growing world population. For more information on IFIF please visit www.ifif.org or contact Alexandra de Athayde, Executive Director, at info@ifif.org.