News & perspectives

If you’ve seen my LinkedIn posts over the last few weeks, you’ll recall I posted several updates from COP28 in Dubai. It was a whirlwind experience and an honor to be representing our industry on such a grand international stage. Now that I have had a week to reflect, I wanted to share some of my takeaways from the event. Leading into COP there was a great deal of uncertainty about what the experience would be like. This year food systems received more attention than ever, but it was clear that groups opposing animal agriculture were motivated to call for drastic reductions in meat consumption. Despite not being supported by evidence, the groups and their voices are extremely influential in official policy discussions, as well as in media coverage and messaging for broader audiences. To address this challenge, Protein PACT partners have invested in being present in influential fora like COP28 to credibly present the industry’s climate commitments, as well as proof of progress. We want to show up and also facilitate the participation of experts who can demonstrate on this critical stage that animal protein plays a key role for healthy people and a healthy planet. Our priority is to provide data-based and expert-led information on meat’s irreplaceable role in solutions for sustainable food systems and food security. This year we helped organize several panels in partnership with the Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA), with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in the Food Pavilion and I even had the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with Danielle Nierenberg with Food Tank as part of their very full agenda. We also had many substantive on the ground discussions with a variety of food systems leaders from around the globe. Toward the end of my time in Dubai, I was asked what are the key takeaways I would bring back to our members? There were three that jumped out to me: 1)    The work we’re doing within The Protein PACT to support industry continuous improvement in a transparent and data-driven way that brings together the whole supply chain is absolutely the right direction for our industry. To be taken seriously at events like COP, we have to show how our industry is part of the solution for healthy people and a healthy planet. The Protein PACT framework is a best practice guidance for the industry and allows us to transparently demonstrate our progress over time. It aligns well with the questions we regularly receive about our industry and shows the proof throughout the supply chain. 2)    Collaboration is key! Within the meat industry, there is great work happening around the world, whether it’s supporting beef supply chains through the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) or the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) supporting better lives through livestock in developing countries. No single company, sector or country will solve climate change alone. We were proud to partner with IICA as a leading voice in this effort, demonstrating how animal agriculture supports livelihoods in the Americas. As IICA deputy director general Lloyd Day likes to say, “Every country in the Americas, if not the world, needs a Protein PACT.” 3)    Don’t be afraid of partners that might make you uncomfortable. It is easy to stick to our industry bubble, but progress is made when you talk to people outside your comfort zone. I’ve been fortunate to engage with a range of groups who on the surface are not natural partners from various environmental NGOs to cultured meat companies, but once you learn more about their priorities, you find that most of the time there is common ground you can work together on. I always walk away from those conversations enthusiastic about the opportunities they offer. Those partners are key on the pathway to earning greater trust in our industry. Beyond the experience, there were several important outcomes at COP that showed the importance of livestock as a climate and food security solution: According to the FAO’s latest data, livestock account for 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, down from FAO’s previous estimate of 14.5%. FAO’s December 8 report on livestock emissions reduction and its December 10 roadmapfor food systems that end hunger while staying within climate boundaries both conclude that the most effective emissions reduction pathway in livestock is through sustainable intensification in all livestock systems. The December 8 report shows that reducing meat consumption is the second least effective way to reduce methane emissions. Productivity improvements have the greatest impact, 5x greater than the modeled dietary shifts. Animal health and feed interventions also have large impacts. Producing nutrient-dense foods like meat, milk, and eggs sustainably has never been more important. The FAO has concluded repeatedly that livestock provide crucial sources of nutrition not easily obtained from other sources and which are “vital for normal development and good health.”   At the North American Meat Institute, we agree that not only can meat be produced sustainably, but that it is in fact central to climate and food security solutions. That was reiterated at COP28 and we look forward to working closely with partners in 2024 to bring the message and the evidence to other audiences as well.   Read the article on LinkedIn.

As I previewed in my last article, the Meat Institute was proud to host the second annual Protein PACT Summit last month in San Diego. At the summit, we also debuted our second continuous improvement report, (you can access a summary infographic or read the full report here). Momentum continues to grow for this first-of-its-kind data collection and reporting effort. Before 2022, our sector had no history of aggregating experiences in this way and presenting measurable indicators in key focus areas. In our first year, data collected already represented an estimated 90% of meat sold in the United States, and that has only grown. In 2023, the number of companies submitting data grew by 59%, covering 25% more establishments – data now reflects action in more than half of all facilities operated by Meat Institute members. This growing data set is a remarkable achievement, but it also presents challenges. Newer participants are more likely to be at earlier stages of implementing practices to achieve Protein PACT targets. In some cases, we have also updated metrics to more accurately capture practices and/or to segment by species. For this reason, each year’s report provides achievement snapshots on the basis of that year’s data only, rather than as a comparison with previous years. Growing our data pool is itself a key target. We believe every company has a role to play, and we are committed to helping every member start and measure its continuous improvement journey. As Meat Institute CEO Julie Anna Potts explains in the report’s introduction, this mission has never been more important. Earlier this year, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization emphasized in a landmark report that animal-source foods offer crucial sources of much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from other foods. Producing these foods in a way that can continue to sustain generations to come is at the heart of our Protein PACT vision. We have continued to share that vision with new audiences, pushing ourselves to get outside the agriculture bubble and connect with sustainability-focused leaders in a wide variety of settings. To that end, the Protein PACT helped sponsor the October Sustainable Brands Conference. In a breakout session titled “Animal Agriculture Driving Sustainability and Food Security Solutions: Principles, Practices, and Proof,” the Protein PACT welcomed experts who shared evidence regarding livestock’s climate impacts, as well as practices across the supply chain to continuously improve that impact. I took the opportunity to share about the Meat Institute’s continuous improvement goals and our data report efforts to verify progress. Dr. Frank Mitloehner (Director of the CLEAR Center, UC Davis) asked the engaging and thought-provoking question at the heart of so many sustainability debates: What if cattle are actually part of the climate solution? He discussed how everything from what cows eat to how their manure is managed can aid in our collective emissions reduction targets. National Pork Board Chief Sustainability Officer Jamie Burrdiscussed U.S. pork’s WeCare ethical principles and how they focus on environment, food safety, animal well-being, people, community, and public health to provide delicious, nutritious, and sustainable pork products to families everywhere. Jamie shared that over the past six decades, pork production has improved by using 75% less land, 25% less water, 7% less energy, and 8% fewer carbon emissions. Applegate President Joseph O’Connorshared the experience of taking sustainability principles into action as a consumer-facing brand. Applegate employs holistic animal production and regenerative agriculture practices, whose benefits include building soil fertility, increasing water percolation and retention, and increasing biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency. Bringing valuable perspective from the farm, Fresno Livestock Commission Managing Member Cindy Tews discussed what sustainability means to beef farmers and ranchers who are dedicated to producing beef in a way that prioritizes all aspects of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social. Sharing these perspectives and advancing understanding of animal agriculture’s role in sustainability solutions is a top priority for the Meat Institute and our Protein PACT partners. In December, we’ll be joining the world’s sustainability leaders at the UN Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai. We’re excited to see increased focus on the power of food systems to deliver sustainability and food security solutions, and we firmly believe that nutrient-dense foods like meat and dairy are central to achieving that vision. That’s why the Protein PACT is committed to being present in these critical conversations. We will once again be a sponsor of the Sustainable Agriculture of the Americas pavilion, and we look forward to participating in expert-led panels and events throughout this important Summit. For more Protein PACT updates, including impressions as we join COP28, follow us here on LinkedIn or on our other social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). If you don’t yet receive our quarterly Protein PACT newsletter and are interested in subscribing, contact me at emittenthal@meatinstitute.org. Read the article on LinkedIn.

As we gather with family, friends, and colleagues over the coming months, the holiday season is a great time to celebrate the meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood featured on our tables and the farmers and ranchers and countless others along the supply chain who make these treasured holiday traditions possible. From delicious turkey to the perfect brisket or flavorful Christmas ham, cheese plates to cheesecake, devilled eggs to smoked salmon, and more – I could go on (except the list makes me hungry!). These foods have brought families together for everyday meals and special occasions for centuries. What’s more – as the FAO affirmed in a landmark 2023 report – meat, milk, and eggs provide critical nutrients that cannot be easily replaced from other sources. That makes our work to sustain meat for generations to come more important than ever. I’ve written over the last several months about the many ways the Animal Agriculture Alliance works to support our community’s continuous improvement efforts and to communicate progress and achievements. We’re a small but mighty team, and we are actively engaged in a wide variety of events, seeking to connect with diverse audiences. Whether in media interviews, senior executive roundtables, or hot sustainability conferences – the Alliance’s dedicated team hits the ground running, with a positive story to tell. We’re always looking to share our story across platforms and audiences as we work to safeguard the future of animal agriculture. In October, we touched a wide range of audiences and engagement channels – from podcasts to the Sustainable Brands Conference to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), and more. Alliance team member Abby Kornegay and former staffer Casey Kinler joined the Progressive Dairy Podcast to discuss animal rights extremist tactics dairy farmers should be aware of, as well as tips for how farmers can proactively get outside the ag barnyard and build strong relationships with legislators and other stakeholders (listen to the episode here). In the spirit of breaking down silos, Emily Ellis joined Protein PACT partners at the Sustainable Brands Conference in San Diego October 16-19, a really important opportunity to engage in open, authentic dialogue with sustainability leaders and executives – sharing how animal agriculture’s drive for continuous improvement helps achieve sustainability goals. Reaching nutrition experts is also core to our mission. At FNCE October 7-10 in Denver, the Alliance’s booth showcased exciting virtual tours of pig, chicken, and dairy farms for visitors. Too often, those who eat meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood are disconnected from the places where animals are cared for, raised, and fed. It is important for the animal agriculture community to build connections, develop trust through visibility and transparency, and tell our own stories. Huge thanks to our partners at the North Carolina Pork Council, National Chicken Council, and Dairy MAX Inc. for making these virtual farm tours possible. Looking ahead, we’re proud to help support animal agriculture partners including those involved in the Protein PACT as they join governments, non-government organizations, and stakeholders from many sectors at the upcoming UN Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai. There’s never been a better time to lend your support to these efforts and to all the ways we are working to strengthen the animal agriculture community. We invite you to consider supporting the Alliance for Giving Tuesday. Your support will help us transform today’s challenges facing animal agriculture into tomorrow’s solutions. Every bit counts, and from now until November 28, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association will match donations up to $100,000 to make your contribution go even further. We’re also accepting speaker and session proposals for our 2024 Stakeholders Summit scheduled for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. The summit theme of “Ready, Set, Solve!” will emphasize propelling animal agriculture toward our collective goals and bring together expert speakers and hundreds of participants. Registration will open in early 2024. Meanwhile, you can check the Summit website for the latest updates and follow #AAA24 on social media. Happy Thanksgiving from myself and everyone at the Alliance. We’re grateful for this community, and we look forward to continuing our conversations around real-life and virtual tables (join us on Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook). Read the article on LinkedIn.

At the Animal Agriculture Alliance, we know that even though meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and seafood play a key role in nourishing people globally, it can be a real struggle to ensure that animal agriculture is considered an equal partner in important sustainability conversations. That’s why we take every opportunity to engage and protect the role of farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, animal feed companies, processors, allied associations, and others who provide wholesome, sustainable, and irreplaceable animal-source foods for our diets. As we head into the last months of 2023 and look ahead to next year, we are thrilled to announce the theme of our 2024 Stakeholders Summit: “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture,” scheduled for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Alliance is tapping into the 2024 Olympics theme, with an emphasis on propelling animal agriculture toward the ever-evolving finish line as we all work to reach our collective goals. Our 2024 Summit will bring together dozens of expert speakers, hundreds of participants, and countless ideas for how we can come together as a unified team committed to driving forward solutions for a resilient animal agriculture community and healthy, sustainable diets. We are now seeking keynote and panel proposals for sessions that will provide unique and thought-provoking ideas and focus on actionable tools Summit attendees can immediately use and implement. The deadline for speaker proposals is November 22. We invite you to get more information and find submission details here: https://bit.ly/AAA24RFP. Given the importance of the opportunities and challenges we continue to face, we look forward to continuing our work to advance animal agriculture in the upcoming year. And it’s never too early to think about how you can be involved in our 2024 Summit. Joining us on stage is just one way to help advance the community’s goals. Participants can also reconnect with colleagues, build new relationships, drive dynamic conversations, share their experiences, and learn from each other throughout the Summit. Registration will open in early 2024, and a tentative schedule will be made available at that time. Meanwhile, you can check the Summit website for the latest updates and follow #AAA24 on social media. The upcoming Summit also provides an opportunity to share new perspectives and build on insights shared during our 2023 Summit, where (in case you missed it!) highlights included: Keynote speaker Ray Starling, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce general counsel and former chief of staff to USDA Secretary Perdue, gave us a peek inside his book Farmers Versus Foodies, which examines gaps between food “insiders” who are generally proud of our food system’s achievements and others who are convinced the food system is irrevocably “broken.” Aimpoint Research senior intelligence analyst Danielle Cummins reminded our audience: “It’s not just about facts. It’s not just about education. It’s about trust.” Consumers, she said, are not a monolith, and it’s important to remember they are also customers. If they don’t trust the food we make, animal agriculture will lose its place at the table. Trusted opinion leaders and social media influencers, like dietitian Nicole Rodriguez and author Michele Payn, encouraged animal agriculture stakeholders to build partnerships across the supply chain and with communicators to help fix the “disconnect between who’s talking about our food supply and who is actually connected with it.”   If you weren’t able to join us at the 2023 Summit or want to revisit these and other great sessions, we’ve made recordings available here. A detailed report with highlights, main takeaways, and speaker quotes is also available here. In addition to the Summit, this year offered many other great opportunities for animal agriculture, including this month’s Protein PACT Summit hosted by our partners at the North American Meat Institute, who published their second annual continuous improvement report. Safeguarding the future of animal agriculture takes all of us working together, and I am so proud of this community’s endless drive for improvement. I encourage everyone to join the Alliance in conversation online (Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) and to learn more about continuous improvements across animal agriculture, for example work by our partners in the Protein PACT for the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow (LinkedIn Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). Read the article on LinkedIn.

Looking back on our second annual Protein PACT Summit earlier this month, I am more hopeful, excited, and confident about the future of sustainable animal agriculture than ever. Many in our community were able to join us October 4-6 in San Diego, and for those who couldn’t we hope to see you in the future (save the date for Protein PACT Summit 2024 – October 9-11 in Austin, TX). During the summit, the Meat Institute released our 2nd annual Protein PACT continuous improvement report, which builds from transparent baselines as described in our 2022 report (you can access a summary infographic or read the full report here). Our first-of-its-kind data collection and reporting continues to represent a momentous – and sustained – shift in the sector. When we began collecting data on more than 90 metrics last year, meat packers and processors had no history of collecting and sharing data in this way. That’s one reason we are tremendously proud to see that the number of companies submitting data grew by 59% this year, now covering more than half of all establishments operated by Meat Institute members. 93% of large companies and 86% of Meat Institute Executive Board members have submitted data, which represents 90 percent of the industry by volume. Participating members are companies of all sizes and at all stages of their sustainability journeys, and the Meat Institute remains committed to ensuring that 100% of members report on all metrics by 2030. We believe this data effort is essential, not only in transparent communication of our work but in objective measurement of our performance and to incentivize implementation of best practices sector-wide. Among the Meat Institute’s five focus areas for continuous improvement, one key target is the Meat Institute’s aim for 100% of members to set science-based emissions reduction targets by 2030. To date, 14 Meat Institute general members representing the majority of meat sold in the United States, plus 10 supplier/allied members, have set or publicly committed to set targets verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative. While those companies represent a majority of meat sold in the United States, we know there are significant gaps in both technical knowledge and practical expertise required to further advance this target. We are developing tools and resources for members and partners to help fill those gaps – for example, we jointly released with the UN Global Compact Network USA in September a practical tool to help meat companies of all sizes conduct greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories as the first step toward setting science-based emission reduction targets. In addition to the release of our 2023 data, other highlights of the Summit included: ●      A panel on “Cultivating a Better Food System through Collaboration,” moderated by Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg and featuring panelists Ron Mardesen (A-Frame Acres, Niman Ranch), Sandra Vijn (Kipster), and Chad Ellis (Texas Agricultural Land Trust) discussing their efforts to reduce waste, optimize environmental impacts, and end hunger, among other objectives. ●      Presentations by Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council members, Dr. Alexa Lamm (University of Georgia) and Dr. Craig Gundersen (Baylor University), who shared their perspectives on communicating facts, building trust, and addressing policy consequences in the meat sector. ●      Multiple sessions on working across the supply chain and with partners around the world to achieve continuous improvement and meet sustainability goals. Renowned experts took the stage, including Ruaraidh Petre and Ian McConnel from the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Tim Hardman from Fulton Market Group, Tom Chen from EcoVadis and Ruth Ann Wisener from Bunge among others. It seems San Diego is the place to be for sustainability dialogues this month. In fact, I’m back there this week for the Sustainable Brands conference. The Protein PACT is proud to be a sponsor of the conference and to convene a panel on animal agriculture’s continuous improvement principles, practices, and proof. We’re are excited to connect with sustainability professionals and discuss diverse perspectives, sharing how the nutrient-dense foods we produce play a critical role in sustainable food systems and food security. Let me end on a note about the importance of actively getting outside our silos and individual areas of expertise. To be honest, Sustainable Brands is a new venue for the Protein PACT, and that’s exactly why we’re honored to have the opportunity to participate. None of us can deliver the solutions our future requires alone, and we can’t expect to develop shared pathways if we are not engaging in open dialogue. Certainly for my part, I am confident the meat sector and our partners across animal agriculture have much to offer, and we have so much more work to do. We want to be present in all conversations about food’s future, and we are making the investments to earn our place and demonstrate our commitment. As we look ahead to the milestone of the UN Climate Summit at the end of the year and beyond, I hope we can all share that open-minded approach and stay connected to learn from each other’s efforts. If you don’t yet receive our quarterly Protein PACT newsletter and are interested in subscribing, contact me at emittenthal@meatinstitute.org or comment “newsletter” below. And as always, we hope you’ll join the Protein PACT conversation here on LinkedIn or on our other social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). Read the article on LinkedIn.

We’ve discussed over the last several months the urgent need for animal agriculture to be a vocal and active participant in conversations about the future of food. Activating our community and growing the animal agriculture network is a constant priority for the Animal Agriculture Alliance, so I wanted to highlight some of the many great opportunities we all have to support animal agriculture in one way or another. One program we are most proud of at the Alliance is College Aggies Online (CAO), which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. CAO connects college students from across the country who are passionate about sharing positive, factual information about animal agriculture and helps them build the skills they need to become confident and effective communicators on campus, online, and in the broader community. CAO participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content and have the opportunity to compete for more than $20,000 in scholarship awards. CAO students undertake multiple kinds of communication in support of animal agriculture. They engage with peers on social media, posting about current and emerging issues facing farmers and ranchers and telling their personal stories. They host virtual and in-person events to talk about the benefits of and opportunities for modern agriculture. Last year, College Aggies Online reached more than 8.5 million people online (more than doubling its 2021 impact) and 2,300 people during in-person events. This year’s program kicked off September 11, with a crop of amazing mentors. You can follow along with the competition by searching the hashtag #CAO23 on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can also support the 2023 program by making a charitable donation of $23. Farmers, ranchers and practicing veterinarians can also get involved in engagement opportunities through the Alliance’s Animal Ag Allies program, which aims to empower them to be confident and effective communicators for agriculture. Animal Ag Allies are on the front lines of responding to emerging issues and sharing positive content about animal agriculture online and in their local communities. The next class will kick off in the spring, so save your seat today! College campuses, local communities and social media are just a few of the many places we all need to speak up to share facts about animal agriculture and combat misinformation. Another way the Animal Agriculture Alliance supports this work is by engaging restaurant, retail and foodservice brands. We provide opportunities for restaurant, retail and foodservice brand leaders to connect with farmers and learn more about agriculture by hosting webinars, farm tours and “lunch and learn” sessions, along with providing animal agriculture’s perspective by representing animal agriculture at restaurant and retail conferences and events. The Alliance is proud to help brands who serve animal-source foods get the facts about raising animals for consumption and about the unique role of nutrient-dense meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and seafood in healthy, sustainable diets. We also offer support and guidance to brands that are facing pressure from activist groups looking to eliminate consumer choice. When our partners in the supply chain face questions or are the targets of criticism, we want them to know we can be a valuable resource to help. Continuing to build engagement in every community from farm to fork and deploy factual resources about animal agriculture’s contributions has never been more important. When people question whether eating meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and seafood aligns with their values, they need to know the facts – including that these foods provide high-quality protein and other nutrients that are much needed in healthy diets for people of all ages. For example, during the first two to three years of a child’s life, animal-source foods are critical sources of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that play a key role in healthy skeletal, muscular and nervous systems, such as vitamin B12 (essential for neurological development and cell growth), iron and zinc. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently noted that studies on meat consumption and health “have begun to cast doubt” on claims regarding negative impacts, concluding that “even small increases in animal-source food (ASF) intake provide nutritional benefits that far outweigh any acute or chronic disease risks associated with high consumption of red meat and animal products.” These nutrient-dense foods must be at the heart of sustainability and food security solutions. That’s why growing and supporting our community – from students to grocery store shoppers and more – is so imperative. I look forward to hearing your views on opportunities for engagement. Find the Alliance online (Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) and reach out to get involved. I also encourage you to learn more about the Protein PACT for the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow, another initiative where the Alliance partners with organizations from across animal ag to accelerate progress toward global goals. Learn more on the Protein PACT’s LinkedIn or other social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and join the conversation. Read the article on LinkedIn.

As we head into a very busy autumn, I’m reflecting on the importance of taking the first critical step in joining meaningful, even challenging, conversation – that is, showing up. And since we are confident our efforts will sustain nutrient-dense foods like meat and dairy on menus for generations to come, we are working hard to to show up at the world’s most important sustainability discussions. In the next few months alone, that will take us from New York City to Dubai and more. First up, this week I’m proud to join the U.S. chapter of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) – UN Global Compact Network USA – for its SDG Summit USA, held on the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The Summit showcases the diverse ways in which the U.S. private sector is helping advance the global sustainability agenda. I am honored to join a roundtable discussing the connections between food production, environment, and social justice. Moderator Lisa Moon of the Global FoodBanking Network will lead us in a discussion touching on participants’ actions in areas like water, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; their engagement within and beyond the food system; opportunities and challenges in making further progress; and where we see sustainable food systems moving over the coming decade. It’s an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for, and in particular I’m delighted it comes just as the Meat Institute and the UN Global Compact Network USA jointly launch a much-needed new practical tool to help meat companies conduct GHG inventories – the first critical step toward setting science-based emissions reduction targets, in line with global climate goals. The tool uses real-life data methodologies and randomized data examples to provide a concrete case study that takes readers from defining a company’s operational and organizational boundaries through understanding and measuring its direct, indirect, and value chain emissions (scope 1, 2, and 3). This kind of practical tool is just one way the Meat Institute is working to achieve our ambitious continuous improvement goals. We aim for 100% of members to have science-based emissions reduction targets by 2030, but we know that some companies need additional guidance and resources to know where to start. It will be an honor to learn from other participants at the SDG Summit, hearing more about their efforts and how they work through challenges in their own operations and in collaboration with partners. Nothing about this is easy, and all of us have a role to play in producing all foods as sustainably as possible. I’m grateful join colleagues like Kellogg’s Janelle Meyers, Impossible Foods’ Nate Gorence, Sabra’s Kristen Royal, and Unilever’s Hanneke Faber, among others. I’m also looking forward to continuing the conversations, including at the third annual Protein PACT Summit October 4-6 in San Diego and then at the Sustainable Brands Conference October 16-19. Our dynamic Protein PACT Summit agenda features incredible speakers and topics like “Confronting Myths and Consequences of Policy in the Meat Industry”, led by Academic Advisory Council members, Dr. Alexa Lamm, University of Georgia and Dr. Craig Gundersen, Baylor University; “ESG Investing: Impacts on the Agricultural Supply Chain” with Ruth Ann Wisener, Vice President of Investor Relations, Bunge; and much more. We’ll also release during the Summit our second annual continuous improvement report, sharing updated results of our first-of-its-kind data collection. I hope to see some of you at one or both of these events. And aside from in-person connections, I hope you’ll reach out for digital ones. If you don’t yet receive our quarterly Protein PACT newsletter and are interested in subscribing, contact me at emittenthal@meatinstitute.org or comment “newsletter” below. And as always, we hope you’ll join the Protein PACT conversation here on LinkedIn or on our other social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook). Read the article on LinkedIn.

Welcome back to my monthly series where I dig into hot topics on the agenda for safeguarding animal agriculture’s future. Last month, my post took a hard look at how animal agriculture can engage on the basis of persuasive facts to prove we are part of sustainability solutions. Building our fact base and trust in our role in feeding a growing and hungry planet is going to require long-term focus and commitment across animal agriculture, as well as community-wide partnerships. Sharing information and amplifying each other’s voice makes our community stronger, which is why I am proud to celebrate the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s new partnership with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA). The partnership leverages the Alliance and NIAA’s respective areas of expertise to ensure sound scientific information is communicated effectively to key audiences. NIAA brings technical and scientific expertise to the partnership, based on its work to advance solutions for disease, while promoting a safe and wholesome food supply. For example, NIAA hosted its 12th Antibiotics Symposium last year, connecting leaders from animal, human, and environmental health organizations to collaborate on research, education, and communications endeavors. The symposium explored, among other topics, the connection between environmental sustainability and One Health (the concept that the health of humans, animals, plants, and the wider environment are closely linked and interdependent). For our part, the Alliance frequently fields questions from restaurant, retail and foodservice brands, registered dietitians, media, and thought leaders on responsible antibiotic use, as well as on issues like animal welfare and environmental stewardship. This partnership with the NIAA will give us greater access to technical experts in these fields to ensure we communicate accurate, science-backed, and expert-supported information to these audiences. More specifically, the partnership will entail coordinating media responses on technical issues with third-party expertise, collaborating on the development and review of talking points, infographics, and other resources on emerging issues, and hosting regular joint issue updates with key stakeholders from each organization. Advancements across animal agriculture have made enormous contributions in recent decades and continue to nourish the world with meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and seafood. Documenting and holding up these advancements is a key part of the Alliance’s mission, which also includes countering misinformation and extreme activism. In July, we released our updated Animal Activist Web which visually portrays the interconnected nature of organizations claiming to work on behalf of animals, some of which that attack animal agriculture and spread misinformation seeking to deny the fact that raising animals for food is an essential part of society, diets, and future. While reasonable people can discuss different approaches to healthy diets and sustainable food systems, there is nothing reasonable about the extremist tactics documented in our report on Radical Vegan Activism in 2022. The report details these tactics and the biased viewpoints of many of the organizations featured in the Animal Rights Extremist Web, providing some sobering statistics. Nearly one-third of extremist attacks documented in 2022 targeted farmers and food workers, putting them and animals in danger. Documented direct actions include: ●      95 vandalism incidents ●      70 stolen animals ●      60 criminal trespasses ●      10 arson cases ●      9 harassment and intimidation incidents Evidence and collaboration are our most powerful tools against this extremism. That’s why the Alliance is so proud of our partnership with NIAA and our participation in sector-wide efforts like the Protein PACT. If these efforts speak to you, you can find more information about the Animal Agriculture Alliance and support our mission here. Read the article on LinkedIn.

August is National Wellness Month, a great time to celebrate and share what keeps us happy and healthy. From summer barbecues to hot dogs at a baseball game and sweet ice cream treats, some of our favorite foods bring a lot of “happy” to the table, but there’s also much to be said about how much nutrient-dense foods like meat and dairy can contribute to the “healthy” part of the wellness equation. Earlier this year, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released what it called “the most comprehensive analysis yet of the benefits and risks of consuming animal source foods…”  based on data and evidence from more than 500 scientific papers and some 250 policy documents. The FAO concluded that “Meat, eggs and milk offer crucial sources of much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from plant-based foods…” Animal-source foods like meat, dairy, and eggs deliver important macro-nutrients like high-quality protein, as well as essential fatty acids and micro-nutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12 that play a key role in health and development, as emphasized by partners and experts during the Protein PACT panel at Shopping For Health in Cincinnati July 24-26. Consumption of animal-source foods varies around the world, but micro-nutrient deficiencies are common even in high-income populations. Iron and vitamin A are among the most common micronutrient deficiencies around the world, particularly in children and pregnant women. Globally, more than 1 in 2 preschool aged children (372 million) and 1.2 billion women of child-bearing age suffer from the lack of at least one of three micronutrients: iron, vitamin A or zinc. Animal-source foods’ availability of high-quality protein can also play an important role in wellness for older adults, as aging makes it harder for our bodies to absorb and utilize protein and retain muscle mass. “Nutrient-density” is one way to sum up this package of nutrition benefits from animal-source foods – that is, animal-source foods provide a lot of macro- and micro-nutrients for relatively few calories. Of course, in addition to supporting individuals’ wellness, all foods need to also contribute to the health of our planet. To advance understanding of nutrient-dense animal-source foods drive sustainability solutions, a Protein PACT delegation attended the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment in Rome at the end of July. This was the first follow-up event after the 2021 Food Systems Summit. The Stocktaking Moment, like the Summit, brought together national governments and stakeholders from all parts of the food system. A side event focused on sustainable livestock was convened by Kenya, the World Farmers’ Organization, the International Livestock Research Institute, CGIAR, and the International Dairy Federation. A recording of the event is available here. Speakers, including FAO Director of Animal Production and Health Division Thanawat Tiensin and Argentina’s ambassador to the FAO Bernardo Cherniak, emphasized the importance of scientific evidence to inform food systems approaches and guard against bias. Cross-cutting support for sustainable production and consumption of nutrient-dense animal source foods is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. These themes will be central to discussion during the FAO’s first-ever Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation to be held September 25-27 in Rome. Attention on livestock is high, and all stakeholders must come to the table ready for constructive dialogue that builds on past success and accelerates achievement of ambitious goals. While much work remains, animal agriculture today is a key part of one of the safest, most diverse, and most affordable food supplies in history. Animal agriculture nourishes and supports the livelihoods of many millions of people in the United States and around the world. All production systems and foods, livestock included, can and must seek to optimize environmental impact without sacrificing nutrient-density, overall diet quality and diversity, or economic and social sustainability. If you are interested in learning more about how Protein PACT partners are working to sustainably meet rising demand for nutrient-dense animal-source foods, don’t miss our new quarterly newsletter featuring short reads on continuous improvement, transparent communication, and animal agriculture in the news. Contact me at emittenthal@meatinstitute.org or comment “newsletter” below to subscribe. Please also follow the Protein PACT here on LinkedIn or other social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and join the conversation. Read article on LinkedIn.

Welcome back to my monthly series where I dive in on some of our top priority issues for protecting animal ag’s future. This month, I’d like to further discuss the word “sustainability” and what it means for us at the Alliance. Is it just a buzzword? How much influence does it really have on consumption of meat, poultry, dairy, eggs and seafood? Let’s take a closer look. Here’s a sobering fact to start us off – this month, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released their Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032. The organizations forecast that meat consumption will stagnate in high-income countries over the next decade, with expected strong growth in lower-income countries. Global per capita meat consumption is expected to grow by just 2% total over the decade. The OECD and FAO attribute this projection, at least in part, to “a growing trend among consumers to become increasingly sensitive to animal welfare, environmental and health concerns.” They point out that while global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions will grow less this decade than last and there are signs of progress in reducing carbon intensity (emissions per unit of food produced), ag emissions are set to increase 7.6% – of which an estimated 80% will come from animal agriculture alone. These facts simply cannot be ignored, not least of all because we know that many adversarial groups looking for reasons to push for reductions in production and consumption of animal-source foods will latch onto them. Ensuring balanced outcomes requires us to be every bit as active in providing confidence and assurance that continuing to choose animal-source foods aligns with the values and expectations of consumers, investors, customers, and policymakers. The fact is that from crop and animal production to processing and distribution, U.S. animal agriculture is a leader in sustainable practices. We have a decades-long track record of successfully producing more food using fewer natural resources, based on implementing modern and efficient practices. But good stories simply don’t tell themselves. There is a clear imbalance in who is out there telling stories about animal agriculture, and we all need to become more active, present, and engaged to correct that imbalance. Not to mention, we can’t expect our story to be persuasive unless we back it up with proof. That’s going to take a lot of hard work. Work to implement the best practices for animal care, food safety, nutrition, environmental stewardship and more, and even more work to document, measure, and report on the outcomes of those practices. That second step – documentation, measurement, and reporting – is not optional. Without it, we see how easy it is to discount achievements or dismiss an entire sector that families around the world rely on for food and livelihoods. The Alliance’s Sustainability Impact Reportis one of our keystone publications, issued every year to aggregate the latest information and evidence across U.S. animal agriculture. We’re proud of it, but it is only as good as the information we can document. In recent years’ reports, we’ve been able to share data about how today’s farmers and ranchers raise healthy animals and produce more meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood than ever before, with a smaller environmental footprint. However, optimizing animal agriculture’s environmental impact and achieving other goals requires an ongoing process of continuous improvement. That’s why the Alliance is a partner in the Protein PACTfor the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow. Among other efforts, Protein PACT partners representing farmers, ranchers and processors are working hard to develop and report data that prove further achievements are within reach. We at the Alliance could not more strongly support these efforts, and we hope everyone in animal agriculture will join us in working to ensure they succeed – and help us tell the story of that success.   Read the article on LinkedIn.

There are few things more associated with summer than cooking up some hot dogs, hamburgers, or chicken on the grill and enjoying a delicious ice cream cone. This summer, Protein PACT partners are continuing our work to make sure those long-time favorites are around for generations of barbecues to come. At the Meat Institute, we have set ambitious targets for continuous improvement and have pioneered the first sector-wide data collection and reporting effort. Before I update on our second annual data collection period now underway, let me pause for a moment on the phrase “continuous improvement.” It may sound like jargon, but really it’s very simple. We believe it is incumbent on everyone in our sector to get better, all the time. There isn’t a single endpoint for any of our focus areas – environment, animal care, workplace diversity and safety, food safety, or health and wellness – where we can clap our hands and say, “That’s it! We’re done!” Rather, we have to set goals, measure progress, achieve improvements, and then do it all over again. Why not just say “sustainability”? Well, while the formal definition of “sustainability” according to the United Nations includes economic, environmental, and social components, too often the word ends up being used more narrowly. Our sector absolutely aims to produce food families rely on more sustainably than ever, and continuous improvement is the way to achieve that goal. With that out of the way – the Meat Institute released our first-ever continuous improvement report last October, with data representing about 90% of meat sold in the United States. This year, even more Meat Institute members are submitting data, and our second annual report is expected to launch alongside our October 2023 Protein PACT Summit (save the date to join us October 5-6 in San Diego!). Continuous improvement applies to our data collection as much as to everything else we do. This year, we’ve updated metrics and clarified reporting so that we can continue to get a clearer picture of where things stand, what programs and practices are being implemented to achieve progress, and how we can identify and prioritize gaps. The Meat Institute’s data reporting will be one part of the conversation when we meet with leading retail dietitians later this month at the Shopping for Health (S4H) conference in Cincinnati. You might know that retail dietitians play a variety of key roles, communicating within retail companies as well as directly with consumers to help provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based insights and information. Joining the Protein PACT’s panel titled “Principles, practices, and proof – what your stores and shoppers need to know about animal-source foods and sustainability” will be dietitian and online influencer Nicole Rodriguez, former U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef chair and cattle producer Debbie Lyons-Blythe, the National Pork Board’s Jamie Burr, and Dairy Management Inc.’s Kerry Hackworth. We’re honored to be able to bring experts like these together with opinion leaders and decision makers to talk about how nutrient-dense foods like meat and dairy play an irreplaceable role in healthy diets and how the entire value chain is raising the bar for environmental stewardship. These topics will also be on the global stage, as countries and non-government organizations meet for the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in Rome July 24-26. Protein PACT representatives will be on the ground, participating in conversations on sustainable livestock and how animal-source foods contribute to sustainable food systems overall. If you are interested in more ways to stay in touch, we launched a new quarterly newsletter featuring short reads on continuous improvement, transparent communication, and animal agriculture in the news. Contact me at emittenthal@meatinstitute.orgor comment “newsletter” below to subscribe. Otherwise, please follow the Protein PACT here on LinkedIn or other social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and join the conversation. Read the article on LinkedIn.

As the world celebrated World Environment Day (June 5) and World Food Safety Day (June 7) this month, it’s worth considering meat’s critical role in our most fundamental food goals – producing enough safe food to nourish everyone today and for generations to come. As I’ve shared, the Meat Institute and our Protein PACT partners are taking ambitious, data-based approaches to achieving and verifying our environmental stewardship goals. Recognizing that all companies are at different stages of their sustainability journeys and have different contexts, the Meat Institute has set a goal to facilitate best practices in emissions measurement and reduction across all our members. We have a target that 100%of Meat Institute members will deliver emissions reduction targets approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) by 2030, helping to reduce emissions in line with the Paris climate agreement goals. We know that achieving environmental sustainability includes but does not stop with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our sustainability framework includes dozens of other indicators – measuring commitment and action, for example, to responsibly manage water, energy, and waste. To mention just a few examples of our members and sponsors’ actions in this space: ● Cargill has pledgedto restore 600 billion liters of water and reduce 5 million kg of pollutants in priority watersheds by 2030. ● Smithfield aims to reducegreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030, among a bevy of other goals. ● Hormel Foods has reducedGHG emissions by more than 21,000 metric tons, reduced water use by 42 million gallons, and reduced product packaging by 727,000 pounds. ●     Protein PACT sponsor Corbion is committed to cutting CO2 emissions related to energy, key raw materials and transport by 33% per ton of product by 2030, and has already achieved over one third of that reduction. ●  And just this month Sigma, had its target approvedby the Science Based Targets Initiative Sustainable food security cannot be achieved without food safety as a top priority. That’s why we aim to make safe food, every time, with no exceptions. This commitment to food safety is not a target; it’s our culture. To measure food safety commitment and action across Meat Institute members, we collect data on third-party food safety validations, implementation of multidisciplinary food safety teams and programs, incident response and corrective actions, participation in industry best practices, and more. Today, 98% of Meat Institute member establishments that are reporting data, have a multidisciplinary food safety team, and 99% of establishments are covered by a company commitment to embed food company culture. We’re proud of these achievements and eager to share the ongoing work to continuously improve our sector’s contributions. This month, the Protein PACT helped sponsor the Economist’s Sustainability Week in Washington, DC where I had the pleasure of joining a panel on building a sustainable supply chain in the food industry, along with Irving Fain (CEO & Founder at Bowery), Anu Rao(Senior VP of communications, sustainability and responsibility, Pernod Ricard North America), and Lori Captain, MBA(Executive VP Sustainability, Science and Industry Relations at Dairy Management Inc). We believe any conversation about the future of food must include the animal agriculture sector, since we make nutrient-dense food relied on by 98% of households in the United States alone. I want to thank the Economist for hosting the incredibly impactful event and convening such an engaged audience of changemakers. Next month, we’re looking forward to engaging another key audience – retail dietitians who play a key role in both consumer communication and in grocery retailers’ thinking about what their shoppers need and want. Thanks to Shopping for Health for hosting that great opportunity. We’ll also be contributing to sustainable livestock conversations through the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment July 24-26 in Rome. As the FAO recently concluded, “Meat, eggs and milk offer crucial sources of much-needed nutrients which cannot easily be obtained from plant-based foods.” It’s clear that food systems cannot provide the food people need to thrive, sustainably, without the solutions made possible through animal-source food production and consumption. I’ll look forward to sharing more about these engagements and other Protein PACT activities next month. Read the article on LinkedIn.

Having a vocal, connected, and proactive community has become an absolute necessity in animal agriculture, especially when it comes to sharing our achievements outside the barnyard. Building this community is a key priority behind the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s annual Stakeholders Summit. This year’s Summit, held May 4-5 in Arlington, Virginia, brought together more than 300 representatives of our diverse, innovative, and dedicated community. In keynotes, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, it was so exciting to see leaders from all paths come together over a shared commitment to advancing animal agriculture’s future. From farmers and ranchers to journalists, social media gurus, academics, security (and crisis communications!) experts, communication professionals, and more – the Summit continues to attract the best and brightest, and we at the Alliance are honored by attendees taking the time out of their busy schedules to participate. Our keynote speaker Ray Starling, former White House agriculture advisor and North Carolina Chamber of Commerce General Counsel, shared some tough truths about gaps between food “insiders” who understand the food system and are proud of its achievements and “outsiders” who are convinced that the food system is irrevocably “broken.” The influence of this second view is large and growing – even internet searches and artificial intelligence tools are more likely to return results that agree with it. Finding ways to bridge this gap – which Ray describes in his excellent book Farmers Versus Foodies– will make all the difference in securing animal agriculture’s future and sustaining generations to come. It won’t be easy. Political, economic, and consumer perspectives are far more diverse and less connected to agriculture than in the past. Agriculture stakeholders must constantly challenge ourselves to be present in the wide range of conversations where minds are made up and to share information that helps others understand how we can work together with shared values toward common interests. Education, communication, and research all have a part to play. At the Summit, some of the specific themes addressed included: how to best communicate and engage with consumers, how technology and agriculture can be used to advance environmental sustainability, how to strengthen supply chains, and how to ensure that animal agriculture is part of all conversations about the future of food. As Aimpoint Research® Senior Intelligence Analyst Danielle Cummins put it in her presentation: “It’s not just about facts. It’s not just about education. It’s about trust.” Consumers, she said, are not a monolith, and it’s important to remember they are also customers. If they don’t trust the food we make, animal agriculture will lose its place on the plate. When it comes to environmental sustainability, animal agriculture needs to be able to both walk the walk and talk the talk. Experts in our panel on corporate social responsibility discussed building platforms and skills to tell positive stories that have the power to counter misinformation and adversarial voices. The Summit also featured trusted opinion leaders and social media influencers like dietitian Nicole Rodriguez and author Michele Payn, CSP, who encouraged animal agriculture stakeholders to build partnerships across the supply chain and with communicators to help fix the “disconnect between who’s talking about our food supply and who is actually connected with it.” For more great lessons and calls to action, don’t miss our Summit highlights report, available here. We’ll continue to work with all of our partners, including through the Protein PACT, to continuously enhance animal agriculture, connect stakeholders, build bridges, and – most importantly – continue supporting our members who produce the food families rely on. With so much work to do, it’s never too early to hold the date for our 2024 Stakeholders Summit! We hope to see you May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. You can always find more information about the Alliance and how to support our mission here. Read the article on LinkedIn.

With a year behind me as president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance(time flies!), I spend more time than ever thinking about how to most effectively spread the good word about meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood – and how to set the record straight to counter misinformation. This online community has the reach and power to play an important role, so I’ll be sharing some articles here from time to time and hope you’ll join the conversation. The more active those of us who are passionate about the future of animal agriculture are in sharing these messages far and wide, the more I hope we can cross paths with others who are interested in open, informed dialogue and reaching shared goals – especially for healthy diets and sustainable food systems. By way of introduction for those who might not be familiar with the Alliance, we play a unique role in the animal agriculture community. Our mission is to safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. These aren’t three separate concepts or workstreams for us; they are integrally related. And achieving the full scope of our mission is more important now than ever. That requires increasingly proactive mindsets and an energetic commitment to seeking new opportunities for engagement. I’m definitely not a sports expert (even though I am a Buckeye – surprising, I know), but the old cliché seems appropriate here – the best defense really is a strong offense. At the Alliance, we take pride in supporting a community of people dedicated to feeding a hungry planet. While responding to issues is important and remains a key part of our work, we are confident that taking a positive, goal-oriented approach will best position this community to continue our contributions for generations to come. That’s a key reason we support and partner with the The Protein PACT for the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow. Each Protein PACT partner makes its own contributions within its organization and with its stakeholders and together, we further strengthen these contributions by uniting and amplifying a positive message that animal agriculture drives solutions and sustains the future. For example, founding Protein PACT partner the North American Meat Institute (also an Alliance board member!) has pioneered a data collection and reporting effort that completely changes the game for transparently measuring progress up and down the value chain. The Meat Institute’s first annual continuous improvement report, published in October 2022, lays out sector-wide targets and provides snapshots of current achievements. The Alliance’s own 2023 Sustainability Impact Report documents animal agriculture’s considerable achievements over recent years – providing objective data about animal care, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and more. Achieving further progress and earning our place on the plate of the future really relies on connected ambitions and actions from everyone – farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, animal feed companies, animal health companies, processors, allied associations and others – all aligned and working together. Our 2023 Stakeholders Summit, held last month, illuminated this notion with a theme of  “Partners in Progress,” highlighting the need for us to join forces along the food supply chain. This belief is also emphasized through Protein PACT. You can find information about the principles, practices, and proof behind the Protein PACT partners’ efforts here. These efforts are designed to proactively drive animal agriculture’s own agenda, and I encourage everyone in animal agriculture to share them broadly and seek out constructive dialogue outside the barnyard. Animal agriculture makes critical contributions to nutrition, food security and all aspects of sustainability – economic, social, and environmental. Yet, influential and extremely well-funded campaigns against animal agriculture continue to drive common misconceptions about our practices and the food we produce. While animal agriculture has made considerable progress over the years in understanding and anticipating extreme activism that seeks to eliminate animal-sourced food production, we need to see continued investment and commitment to making the positive plays that will redefine the debate. If you haven’t already, I invite you to join us as a partner in progress on this journey by becoming an Alliance member here. Read the article on LinkedIn.

Thanks for coming back to this latest installment of my monthly series sharing more about the Meat Institute’s continuous improvement efforts and the Protein PACT. As I think about the audience for this series and what information is most useful for this online community, I’ve also been thinking a lot about our efforts to expand our connections in the real world – within and beyond animal agriculture. Over the last several weeks, the Meat Institute and our Protein PACT partners have had the opportunity to join the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholder Summit and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef General Assembly, where we were grateful to connect with stakeholders across the beef and animal agriculture value chains, helping to raise awareness of the Protein PACT continuous improvement vision and each partner’s concrete actions to advance goals that help secure our shared future. To forge new connections and raise awareness of our efforts with new audiences, the Protein PACT also sponsored the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate Summit, co-hosted by the governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates, and partnered with GreenBiz Group to present a webinar on how animal agriculture is driving sustainability solutions. Several sessions at the AIM for Climate Summit discussed investments in research and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, and the United States announced new funding for livestock-related projects. If you missed the Greenbiz webinar, you can register here to access the recording. The panel highlighted the Protein PACT vision and partners’ principles, practices, and proof of progress, including specific discussion of the Meat Institute’s data collection efforts, the National Pork Board’s on-farm sustainability reports, the World Wildlife Fund’s work (conducted in partnership with Protein PACT partner IFEEDER) on sustainabilityin the animal feed sector, and perspectives from soy and cattle producer Jesse Patrick. Greenbiz founder Joel Makower moderated a discussion session following the panel’s remarks, with questions focused particularly on specific on-farm mitigation methods and incentives for farmers to reduce emissions and optimize biodiversity, among other actions. The discussion highlighted the need to continue transparently reporting on measurable progress and alignment across the value chain. Let’s be clear – not everyone at the AIM For Climate Summit or in the Greenbiz audience is convinced that animal agriculture can be part of climate solutions. But I am encouraged by the opportunities to engage and find common purpose. As the FAO affirmedin a report published on April 25, animal-source foods provide essential nutrients that are not easily available from other foods. That makes our efforts to sustain meat for generations to come more important than ever, and we know that further progress is within reach, building on proven sustainability gains over recent decades. Like everyone, the Meat Institute and our Protein PACT partners want to ensure food has a positive impact on our health, on our communities, and on the environment around us. We believe that animal-source foods are not only compatible with that goal, they are integral to achieving it. We’re taking action to make it happen, and we’re excited to continue seeking dialogue that helps everyone move farther, faster. — In case you missed it: Earlier in April, a special edition of the peer-reviewed journal Animal Frontiers featured evidence on meat’s role in society, building on an international summit hosted by Teagasc in October 2022 and reinforcing the call by more than 1000 scientists worldwide to avoid over-simplifying consideration of meat production and consumption. See coverage of the FAO report on animal-source foods and nutrition here, and coverage of the Animal Frontiers edition here. Read the article on LinkedIn.

If you read my last article, you know I’m trying out a new monthly series sharing key ways the Meat Institute’s members and our The Protein PACT partners are working to achieve ambitious goals for the future. If you missed the first article introducing the Protein PACT vision, check it out here. To celebrate April as the Global Month of Climate Action, I thought I’d get into some further detail about how the Meat Institute and our partners aim to measure and optimize our environmental impacts. Our solutions start with data, which the Meat Institute has made a unique and ambitious effort to collect and report. This data collection effort represents a game-changing shift in the meat sector’s culture, with first-year data already representing more than 90% of meat sold in the United States. Companies of all sizes have submitted data covering 386 establishments and documenting companies’ unique journeys toward committing to improvement on 92 metrics under five key focus areas, tracking performance, and delivering results. Environment metrics include greenhouse gas emissions, water use, solid waste, food waste, land use, and supplier commitments. To help drive achievement sector-wide, the Meat Institute has set ambitious targets linked to key metrics. In the case of environment, we have committed that by 2030 100% of our members will have greenhouse gas reduction targets approved by the independent Science-Based Targets Initiative, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement goals. As of January 2023, 12 Meat Institute members have set or publicly committed to set Science-Based Targets (SBTs). These companies and others are not only working to achieve their own goals but also to share their experiences and develop resources that will help others take this important step. Further, 84% of establishments reporting data are covered by a company commitment to reduce GHG emissions. Gaps remain, and the Meat Institute is working with members to develop resources that can help companies of all sizes make progress to set independently-verified, science-based targets. Our Protein PACT partners and their members are also verifying progress toward ambitious commitments that protect the land, air, and water we all share while continuing to make nutrient-dense food people need to thrive. For example, in alignment with pork’s We Care principals, the U.S. pork sector has set a goal to reduce GHG emissions by 40% by 2030, from a 2015 baseline, among other comprehensive goals. The National Pork Board helps producers measure, document and share their sustainable farm practices and continuous improvement with On-farm Sustainability Reports. Today, U.S. farmers produce nearly 20% more pork today with nearly 20% lower GHG emissions per pound, as compared to 1959 (source). To further advance climate-smart pork, the National Pork Board(NPB) leads one and is a collaborator in two U.S. Department of Agriculture grants that awarded a total of $155 million, including to expand on-farm sustainability reports, incentivize soil health and manure manage practice adoption, advance cover crops and conservation tillage, provide direct assistance to producers, and expand climate-smart commodities markets. In 2020, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy set dairy-wide environmental stewardship goals to achieve GHG neutrality, optimize water usage, and improve water quality by 2050. Already, U.S. dairy farmers have cut emissions from each gallon of milk by 25% while producing 71% more milk overall – with the lowest on-farm dairy emissions in the world (source). USDA’s climate-smart grants include $800 million awarded to advance dairy sustainability, including to create pilots that directly connect on-farm greenhouse gas reduction efforts with low-carbon dairy market opportunities. Through the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, the U.S. beef supply chain has committed to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 and has set specific metrics and targets for every step from raising and feeding cattle to retail and food service. Over the last several decades, U.S. ranchers have reduced emissions per pound of beef by more than 40% while also producing more than 66% more beef per animal (source). Animal feed also plays an important role in the environment impact of nutrient-dense foods like meat and dairy. The animal food industry is working to optimize the use of energy and natural resources and enhance precision nutrition programs, including through efforts like the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) Sustainability Road Map. The road map will equip animal food stakeholders across the value chain to track data and achieve goals in sustainability-focused areas like land management, climate-smart practices and crop innovations, and use of feed additives to reduce livestock emissions. We know that people have questions about how eating animal-source foods impacts their health and the health of our planet. It’s our job to help answer those questions and to continuously improve our contributions. That’s what the Protein PACT is all about. For those interested in even more on this topic, I hope to see you at the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate SummitMay 8-10 in Washington (don’t miss the Protein PACT as the Summit’s exclusive event app sponsor). I also invite you to join the Protein PACT and GreenBiz Group for a webinar on how animal agriculture drives sustainability solutions, scheduled for May 16, 1:00-2:00 p.m. eastern time (register here). And finally check out a new report from Protein PACT partner Animal Agriculture Alliance summarizing sustainability efforts across various animal proteins. Read the article on LinkedIn.

As the Meat Institute’s Chief Strategy Officer and having participated in the founding of the Protein PACT, I’m keenly aware that there are a lot of heated debates on meat’s future. So, I thought I’d try something new – each month, I’ll publish a LinkedIn article sharing my thoughts, spotlighting leaders across animal agriculture, or sharing our work to move the needle and earn trust from key audiences about how eating meat can sustain the future. First, let me introduce (or, for many of you, reintroduce) the Protein PACT. The Protein PACT encompasses the Meat Institute’s continuous improvement framework and is also a collaboration across the animal agriculture supply chain, aimed at amplifying and communicating partners’ efforts. Protein PACT partners represent producers and processors from every sector of animal agriculture, and we are proud to share with them a common vision and commitment to driving solutions. For our part, the Meat Institute has publicly committed to measurable targets across key focus areas. In 2022, we created the first-ever sector-wide datasetand publicly reported on progress. Over the last year and accelerating in 2023, the Protein PACT has prioritized engaging new audiences to share our actions to put this framework into practice. We are eager to engage in every part of conversations about healthy diets and sustainable food systems, and to do so constructively – sharing credible data about our ambitions for the future and how today’s progress helps achieve global goals. In the first quarter of this year, we’ve been honored to join audiences from the Annual Meat Conference cohosted with Protein PACT endorser FMI the Food Industry Association to the Culinary Institute of America. I have had the opportunity to join Food Tank‘s peer group for Chief Sustainability Officers and Impact Directors. In the near future, we’ll host a webinar with GreenBiz Group, speak at The Economist sustainability week,and participate in the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) summit.We view these engagements not as a one-way street of presentations, but rather as a meaningful opportunity for dialogue. We want to receive and answer tough questions – and be transparent about where we don’t yet have answers. We are working hard to accurately report baselines and measure progress, building the sector’s knowledge base along the way and helping to disseminate best practices and resources for companies of all sizes. If you’d like to know more about the Protein PACT, this 2 minute video is a great introduction. If you have a little more time, check out the 9 minute version that features producer perspectives, as well as interviews with Meat Institute members about their individual sustainability journeys. You can also explore our partners’ goals and the Meat Institute’s first data report here. We take very seriously the imperative to produce the nutrient-dense food people need to thrive while protecting the land, air, and water we all share. I look forward to sharing more about where we’re going and how we plan to get there. Do you have feedback? My door is always open, and I firmly believe our collective achievements are stronger when we find ways to work toward common goals – please reach out. Read the article on LinkedIn

Become Primed And Prepared – This year’s Virtual Stakeholders Summit is themed “Primed and Prepared” because attendees will leave the Summit primed and prepared with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business! Attend the best virtual meeting of the year – The Virtual Summit likely won’t be your first virtual meeting given recent events, but it will be the best virtual meeting you attend this year. Experience consumer opinions in a new way – Many times, what consumers say in surveys does not align with what they actually purchase off the grocery store shelf or order off the restaurant menu. Rhonda Miller, PhD, Texas A&M University, Tyler Davis, PhD, Texas Tech University and Jessica Meisinger, PhD, Merck Animal Health will explain how it is possible to impact how consumers feel about controversial topics (including animal welfare, antibiotic use and sustainability) by understanding how their brain processes information. Network (virtually, of course!) with 350+ industry professionals – The annual Stakeholders Summit is known for providing unmatched opportunities to network and connect from farm to fork. Those opportunities are now more valuable than ever, so we are excited to offer a virtual networking opportunity on Friday, May 8 at 2 PM ET to give attendees the opportunity to connect and engage with others. 97% of last year’s attendees rated Summit as good or great – And virtually everyone also said it was worth their time and financial investment. Hear from supply chain gurus on how to enhance sustainability – Sustainability gurus from North American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Dairy Management Inc., and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs will share how they are undertaking considerable efforts to be proactive and set sustainability goals that position animal agriculture as a leader in this area. Chat with a former Google executive – Steve Lerch, president of Story Arc Consulting, will offer a keynote address giving attendees insights into innovation and strategy gained from his nine years at Google and experience serving as a digital strategy consultant to dozens of the world’s most well-known brands. Get tools to build a culture of care – It’s important for farms, plants and other businesses to ensure that animal care is a core value and component to their company’s culture. Experts from Elanco Animal Health, New Mexico State University, KCoe Isom and The Maschhoffs will discuss how farms and companies can build a culture of care throughout their business. Hear from farmers on the frontlines – Tara Vander Dussen (aka New Mexico Milkmaid), Michelle Miller (aka The Farm Babe), Ryan Valk (aka California Farmer) and Marissa Hake, DVM (aka Calf Vet) will share their recommendations on how companies and organizations can better support farmers’ efforts when communicating about animal ag. Get the latest update on animal rights activism – Animal rights activists are constantly targeting the animal agriculture and food communities. Kay Johnson Smith, Animal Agriculture Alliance president and CEO, will help attendees understand the latest activist threats. Learn from registered dietitians about staking your claim on the plant-based plate – The now-ubiquitous term “plant-based” seems to exclude meat, poultry, milk and eggs – but that’s not the whole story. Registered dietitians Cara Harbstreet, RD, Nicole Rodriguez, RD and Allison Webster, PhD, RD will highlight best practices from producers in the field and strategies to partner with registered dietitians and other influencers in the food space. Meet the Alliance team – The small, but mighty Alliance team will be “taking the stage” several times throughout the Virtual Summit moderating panels, recognizing sponsors and giving a presentation on farm security! Join the Summit’s BYOB Virtual Happy Hour Twitter Chat – We can’t have our usual awesome reception with drinks and appetizers, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t have fun! Bring your own beverage and apps to our Virtual Happy Hour Twitter Chat on Thursday, May 7 at 5 – 6 PM ET and enjoy the chance to unwind, catch up and share their favorite takeaways from the day’s events. Engage with other attendees about animal welfare, social media, activism and more – While attendees hear from speakers about hot issues, our attendee chat will provide the chance to talk about what you just heard and what your farm, organization or business is doing to engage on hot issues. Add to your farm security toolbox – Three experts from AFIMAC, INA, Inc. and Janzen Agricultural Law will offer farm security advice and tools to add to your toolbox to protect your business and the future of animal ag. Talk with the author of Natural: How Faith in Nature’s Goodness Leads to Harmful Fads, Unjust Laws and Flawed Science – Alan Levinovitz, PhD, author and associate professor of religion at James Madison University will offer the opening keynote address, giving attendees a glimpse into his book which illuminates the far-reaching harms of believing that natural means “good,” from misinformation about health choices to justifications for sexism, racism, and flawed economic policies. Strategize with other professionals about food chain outreach – Attendees will have the opportunity to join a virtual networking event to discuss strategies and ideas about food chain outreach plans. Take away tips on how to communicate about animal welfare – Those in the agriculture community understand how important animal welfare is at all steps in the supply chain, but what about everyone else? Candace Croney, PhD, director at the Center for Animal Welfare Science at Purdue University, will spell out how to effectively communicate on animal welfare so people hear you. Learn what the Animal Ag Alliance is all about – If this is your first Summit, you’ll get an idea about what issues the Alliance covers and how we engage food chain influencers to protect the future of animal agriculture. Get actionable items to take back to your business – Have you ever attended a conference and left feeling not sure what to do with all the information you attained? Well, not this time. The annual Stakeholders Summit is set up to give attendees clear, actionable items to take back home and immediately implement into their businesses. Are you convinced yet? View the full agenda and register today at Summit.AnimalAgAlliance.org! Read the article on LinkedIn.

Take A Seat At The Table – This year’s theme is about bringing everyone – farmers, ranchers, industry stakeholders and food industry leaders – to the table to connect. To engage with each other. To hear from and be heard. Network with the largest Summit audience yet – Registration is on track to make the 2019 Summit the largest yet, which will provide excellent networking opportunities across all sectors of animal ag. Sit in on a consumer focus group – Gain insights on consumers’ attitudes, habits and motivations surrounding meat, poultry, milk and egg purchases. Get tools to protect your business – AFIMAC, a security firm, will share how to mitigate risks posed by activist activity. 100% of last year’s attendees said Summit was a worthwhile investment of their time and financial resources – And virtually all attendees rated the Summit as very good or great. Hear from restaurant, retail and foodservice leaders – A panel from of brand leaders will share food chain perspectives. Learn about a new animal health certification program – Don Ritter, DVM, a 33-year poultry industry veteran will introduce attendees to the One Health Certified program. Experience a newcomer’s perspective on marketing in the animal protein industry – Bill Gutrich recently joined the animal agriculture world and has found himself surprised at some of the ways that animal proteins have been and are being marketed. Meet people across all sectors of animal ag – Meet professionals in every sector of agriculture, from aquaculture to dairy, and from the feed industry to restaurant and retail. The Summit is the premier event connecting industry stakeholders across all sectors of agriculture! Have a chat with dietitians – Registered Dietitians Kim Kirchherr and Leah McGrath will address the differences between what people say they want and what they actually buy. Get ahead by learning about hot issues – Experts will discuss gene editing, alternative proteins, and blockchain. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about what impacts each subject may have on their business. Meet the Alliance staff – Meet the small, but mighty team at the Alliance and learn how they could help you! Learn from a seasoned animal law attorney – Michelle Pardo has decades of experience in handling high stakes litigation and public relations battles against animal activist groups. She will share proactive steps that may be taken to avoid litigation issues and best practices when litigating with these groups. Hear examples of effective influencer engagement – A panel of experts will share personal experiences, tips and lessons learned from influencer farm tours and other tactics that can help attendees plan their own influencer engagement Discuss industry-led supply chain animal welfare and sustainability efforts– A panel of beef industry experts will share how all the stops along the beef supply chain work together on animal welfare and sustainability efforts. Connect with allies – Finding and engaging potential allies – even nontraditional ones – is essential to sharing positive information and correcting misconceptions. Meet our new Chairperson of the Board – The American Feed Industry Association’s Sarah Novak, Animal Agriculture Alliance’s next Chairperson of the Board, will provide the closing remarks. Learn what the Animal Ag Alliance does – Become familiar with the Animal Ag Alliance and all we do to connect industry stakeholders, engage with key influencers and protect the agriculture industry. Protect your livelihood – North Carolina Pork Council’s Andy Curliss will provide a deep and broad look at how significant coordinated advocacy is threatening animal agriculture, including a case study of the recent nuisance lawsuit verdicts in North Carolina. He will offer an unprecedented look at the ongoing attacks against the industry and provide attendees with insights on how to protect their livelihood. Go to Summit.AnimalAgAlliance.org for more details and to register. Early bird registration discounts are available until April 12th.   Read the article on LinkedIn.