Earlier this week, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) hosted leaders of the International Meat Club – an organization representing the meat, poultry and fish industries of several European nations. The 11-member delegation included industry representatives from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.
In Colorado, the group learned more about the international promotional activities conducted by USMEF, as well as the structure and history of the organization. Rich Otley, director of evaluation for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, spoke to the delegation on the history, mission and successes of the Beef Checkoff Program. The team also visited the JBS Swift processing plant and U.S. headquarters in Greeley.
Audio Link: http://www.usmef.org:8000/AboutUs/files/Macquet%20interview%2009-25-08.mp3
The group learned a great deal about the efforts of the U.S. meat industry to build both domestic and overseas demand, said Xavier Macquet, president of the International Meat Club. Macquet is general manager of ETS Macquet – a lamb processing and packing company in France.
Audio Clip #1: :21 Outcue: “…in the industry.”
(“Our group has more discovered what the beef industry in the States are doing – mainly with exports but also with the development of beef consumption in the States as well. So I think it was very, very important to understand more what was going on in the industry.”)
Macquet added that livestock producers in Europe are facing many of the same challenges as their counterparts in the United States – especially the rising cost of feedgrains. But he noted some distinct differences in how the European and U.S. industries approach these circumstances.
Audio Clip #2: :13 Outcue: “… on your production.”
(“In Europe, we think more about volumes. Whereas what we have discovered here, today, was that it is the value. You know, added value – having more benefits from your production.”)
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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.