Industry experts gather for biannual World Meat Congress in Cape Town

MEAT industry experts from around the world have gathered in Cape Town for the biannual World Meat Congress.

Irishman Paddy Moore is the president of the International Meat Secretariat, which organises the event, held in Dublin some years ago.

Mr Moore said the secretariat has been bringing together meat professionals from many different horizons for the benefit of the industry as a whole since its founding in 1974.

The congress will allow them to examine trends, share experiences on developing markets and assess how they can face the challenges presented by the international trade environment. It will also enable them to examine the impact of technology on the industry, and look to the future in a world where the demand for meat has never been greater, he said.

The congress will look at global policy changes that are affecting the meat industry around the world and will have a series of speeches from leading politicians.

It will also look at the global demand for meat, consumer expectations, the role of the retailer and food service operator. Other presentations will look at meat supply and productivity with reference to biofuels.

There will be a session looking at the social responsibility of the meat industry, international trade rules and an overview of markets around the world.

According to the secretariat, the congress is being held at a time when global demand for meat has never been so high and when the possibilities of doing business seem extremely attractive.

At the same time the ominous consequences of the spiralling cost of basic foods are beginning to be felt — most acutely in developing countries, but also in the cities of the rich world where governments are pressuring producers and consumers to absorb price rises.

“The international legal framework for international trade in meat is as uncertain as ever, with current attempts to revive the Doha Round not at all sure of success.

“The challenges to the international meat industry are many and complex. The Cape Town Congress will address some of the most pressing issues,” the secretariat said.

Mariann Fischer Boel, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, will give a speech on meeting the policy challenges.