Daley Speaks to World Meat Congress

(Audio with USMEF economist Erin Daley)

Audio Link:

Meat industry leaders from across the world are gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, this week for the 2008 IMS World Meat Congress. Hosted biennially by the International Meat Secretariat (IMS), the World Meat Congress offers presentations and panel discussions on a wide range of meat industry issues – including livestock production and research, improving livestock health and meat safety, trends in consumption and consumer behavior, and issues affecting global meat trade.

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, USMEF economist Erin Daley spoke on major global trends in beef and pork consumption, and the implications these trends will have on international trade.

Audio Clip #1:              :14        Outcue: “…red meat protein.”

But Daley emphasized that a very high percentage of the growth in the world’s population and income is occurring in developing countries – andmany are not well-equipped to accommodate this growth.  

Audio Clip #1:              :31        Outcue: “…only developed country.”

Daley noted that while these trends could present tremendous opportunities for meat-exporting nations, trade barriers continue to be a major obstacle.

Audio Clip #1:              :18        Outcue: “…in their meat production.”

USMEF is well-represented at the World Meat Congress. On Monday, Sept. 8, Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region, provided attendees with an update on pork trade in Asia. Also in attendance in Cape Town are USMEF Chairman Dan Halstrom and President and CEO Philip Seng. The only American ever to serve as IMS president (four terms from 1997 to 2004), Seng will chair a session on Sept. 10 that focuses on international trade. Seng currently serves on the IMS Executive Council and as chair of the IMS Animal Welfare Committee.

More information on the 2008 IMS World Meat Congress is available online.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation ( www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.