The American and European feed industries, represented by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), have renewed their longstanding partnership to increase mutual cooperation on sustainable feed production, feed safety management, communication, trade and pre-competitive research. The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed during FEFAC’s 60th anniversary event on 6 June 2019, is expected to generate significant synergies for the respective member associations and feed companies, offering global joint project and partnership opportunities.
AFIA and FEFAC members recognise the value of providing joint leadership at a global level, in partnership with the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), to develop feed industry solutions, which help reduce the environmental impacts of feed and livestock production, while promoting the highest level of feed safety management and biosecurity. The associations agreed to explore further information sharing, linked to precompetitive research supporting joint projects, while maximising feed trade opportunities.
AFIA President and CEO Joel G. Newman and AFIA Board Chairman Tim Belstra made the following statement upon signing the MOU: “Our 15-year partnership with FEFAC has been a model for global collaboration and we are excited to expand our work together. We look forward to broadening our joint leadership so we may provide both our members and industries with solutions to address future challenges, including assisting them with the adoption of new technologies, developing and deploying best practices and continuing to sustainably provide consumers with sound dietary choices."
FEFAC President Nick Major and Secretary General Alexander Döring: “We are excited about the prospect of developing a deeper, comprehensive partnership with our AFIA colleagues. Our enhanced cooperation will deliver further meaningful tools to our members and partners providing practical solutions to tackle societal issues linked to feed and livestock production, such as climate change, animal health & well-being. We are proud to represent the resource efficiency champions of the food chain and look forward to support our respective members’ efforts to move U.S. and EU feed production to the next level”.
After the MOU signing ceremony during FEFAC’s 60th Anniversary event, Joel Newman was awarded FEFAC Honorary Membership on 6 June 2019 in Brussels. FEFAC praised his professional commitment to promote feed safety standards at global level with the setting up of the first International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM) in 2008 in Atlanta, co-hosted by FAO & IFIF. Joel Newman is the first “non-European” feed industry expert to receive the FEFAC honorary membership award.
FEFAC, the European Compound Feed Manufacturers’ Federation, represents 23 national Associations in 23 EU Member States as well as Associations in Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia, Russia and Norway with observer/associate member status. The European compound feed industry employs over 100,000 persons on app. 3,500 production sites often in rural areas, which offer few employment opportunities. For more information see our web site (www.fefac.eu) or please contact Alexander Döring, Secretary General Tel. +32-2-285.00.50, Fax +32-2-230.57.22, e-mail: fefac@fefac.eu
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization’s membership is comprised of more than 680 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry—manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA’s members manufacture more than 75 percent of the feed and 70 percent of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments, and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation.
