April 22, 2016

The 9th annual International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM) organised by the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) brought together feed industry representatives and government officials to discuss critical issues facing the feed sector.

"I am delighted many world regions and key regulatory bodies were represented at the 9th IFRM and that this meeting yet again proved an important opportunity for the global feed industry and feed regulators to discuss key issues for the feed and food chain, including a discussion on the outcome of the FAO/WHO Experts Meeting on Hazards Associated with Animal Feed, as well as programmes on capacity development for feed safety to implement the Codex Alimentarius requirements," said Joel Newman, IFIF  chairman.

Mr. Newman added, "This dialogue is an important example of the private sector collaborating with the FAO and regulators from around the world and we believe that only by working together can we continue to ensure feed and food safety, while meeting the global demands for food sustainably."

"The success of this meeting is a proof that FAO efforts to facilitate dialogue between the public and private sector are worthwhile," said Daniela Battaglia, Livestock Development Officer at the Animal Production and Health Division of the FAO. "Feed operators can

valuably contribute to make the livestock and food sectors more responsible and sustainable and to achieve other important goals such as food security, public health, and animal health and welfare. The IFRM is an important opportunity to exchange ideas among stakeholders from around the world and to coordinate our efforts towards common goals."

Other topics at the IFRM included a discussion of feed legislations in Turkey, Uganda,Ethiopia and Thailand, as well as a discussion of feed related work in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and an update on the IFIF Convergence Project, which aims towards convergence of technical requirements specific to feed additive/ingredient authorisation across regions.