Press Releases
Meat Institute Congratulates Brooke Rollins on her Confirmation to Serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute today congratulated Brooke Rollins following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of her nomination to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Brooke Rollins’ passion for agriculture is clear and we know she will be a strong advocate for the entire agriculture and food value chain from production to harvest and beyond,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “We look forward to working with her on issues important to the meat and poultry industry, which are important to consumers, producers, rural communities and the economic and national security of our nation.”
The Senate confirmed her nomination with a vote of 72-28. Upon her swearing-in, she becomes the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture.
Meat Institute to HHS/USDA: Dietary Guidelines for Americans should include Meat as Part of Healthy American Diet
WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute called on the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) to include meat and poultry as part of a healthy American diet noting flaws and contradictions in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report (Report).
“The Committee’s Scientific Report contains contradictory and confusing findings,” said Meat Institute President Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Susan Backus. “Meat and poultry products are nutrient dense foods that help Americans meet their essential amino acid and nutrient requirements and yet the Report recommends a reduction in red and processed meats. When 95 percent of Americans eat meat, it is important to provide clear dietary guidance to consumers on how they can include the meat products they love in their diets and also produce a positive, measurable health impact.”
Meat Institute Expands Legislative Affairs and Marketing Teams with New Hires
The Meat Institute today announced the expansion of its legislative affairs and marketing teams with the addition of two new employees.
Meat Institute Provides President Trump with Strategies to Reduce Costly Regs. & Address Meat Prices
The Meat Institute today sent the following letter to President Donald Trump to provide strategies to reduce burdensome regulations and address meat prices for consumers. The following is the text of the letter, dated January 27, 2025, and signed by Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts.
Meat Institute Hires Nicole Johnson-Hoffman to Be Chief Operating Officer
The Meat Institute today announced industry veteran Nicole Johnson-Hoffman was hired to be Chief Operating Officer.
Meat Institute Promotes Bryan Burns to General Counsel
The Meat Institute today announced the promotion of Bryan Burns to General Counsel.
Meat Institute Promotes Key Staff With a Collective 55 Years of Industry Experience
The Meat Institute today announced the promotions of dedicated staff due to their significant expertise, advocacy on behalf of, and experience in the meat and poultry industry. Roya Galindo, Casey Lynn Gallimore, KatieRose McCullough, PhD, MPH and Michael Schumpp have worked for the Meat Institute or in the industry for a collective 55 years.
Meat Institute Issues Statement on the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
The Meat Institute today released the following statement regarding the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
Meat Institute Announces Special Programming at 2025 IPPE on Key Industry Topics
The Meat Institute is offering special programming featuring key industry topics including sustainability, Listeria control, packaging, automation, artificial intelligence and more at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), January 27-29 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta.
The Meat Institute and the American Meat Science Association Announce
The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) and the Meat Institute today announced a partnership to manage the popular Meat Buyer’s Guide (MBG) with editions to publish in 2024 and 2025.
Meat Institute to USTR: Meat & Poultry Industry Needs Ambitious Trade Policy Agenda
In comments submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report, the Meat Institute called for an ambitious and comprehensive trade policy agenda to be paired with removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to promote the growth and stability of the meat and poultry industry.
Meat Institute Approves New Officers and Board Members
Following a successful Protein PACT Summit focused on turning sustainability goals into action, the Meat Institute elected key new officers, Executive Board members and full Board of Directors members for 2025.
Meat Institute Selects Class of 2025 Emerging Leaders
The Meat Institute selected 24 participants for its 2025 Emerging Leaders Program, which promotes and develops future leaders in the meat and poultry industry.
Benchmarking report released at Protein PACT Summit spotlights sustainability progress and tools
The Meat Institute’s third annual continuous improvement report released today (Wednesday) at the Protein PACT Summit demonstrates progress on ambitious sustainability goals and provides updates on tools and partnerships accelerating achievement throughout the supply chain.
Meat Institute: USDA Continues to Over-Regulate Beef and Cattle Market
Following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) requests for more information on possible new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act on price discovery in cattle markets, Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts today made the following statement
Meat Institute to USDA: Proposed Changes to Packers & Stockyards Act Rules Remain Flawed, Vague, Costly and Overreaching
The Meat Institute today submitted comments documenting the many flaws and costs of the latest proposed rules change to the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) by the Biden Administration.
Harris Proposal on Price Gouging Misses the Mark
WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute issued the following statement from Meat Institute President and CEO, Julie Anna Potts, in response to news reporting of a Harris Campaign proposal to place a federal ban on price gouging:
“Consumers have been impacted by high prices due to inflation on everything from services to rent to automobiles, not just at the grocery store. A federal ban on price gouging does not address the real causes of inflation.
“The Harris campaign rhetoric unfairly targets the meat and poultry industry and does not match the facts. Food prices continue to come down from the highs of the pandemic. Prices for meat are based on supply and demand. Avian Influenza, a shortage of beef cattle and high input prices like energy and labor are all factors that determine prices at the meat case.
Meat Institute Opposes Section 301 Tariffs; Calls for Comprehensive Trade Agreements
In comments submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opposing the proposed modifications to the Section 301 actions, the Meat Institute called for comprehensive trade agreements as a long-term strategy to level the playing field for meat and poultry companies and to hold China accountable for its actions.
Proposed Changes to Packers & Stockyards Act Rules Will Hurt Meat and Poultry Producers, Consumers
The latest proposed rule change to the Packers and Stockyards Act by the Biden Administration is attempting to set meat production back decades by encouraging litigation and limiting how livestock producers can market their animals to packers.
Meat Institute Updates Animal Handling Guidelines & Audit; Creates New Bison Audits
WASHINGTON, DC – To help members drive continuous improvement in the meat industry, the Meat Institute has updated its Animal Handling Guidelines and Animal Welfare Audit to include scores for each criterion allowing members to set goals. The Meat Institute also released a new bison animal welfare audit.
The guidelines and audit were authored by the Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare Committee, working with Colorado State University Professor of Animal Behavior Dr. Temple Grandin. The audit was certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization.
“The Meat Institute has a longstanding commitment to animal welfare. It is especially important to track and improve animal handling for the well-being of the animals and the safety of workers,” said Julie Anna Potts. “Through these updated guidelines, and as part of the Protein PACT, Meat Institute companies continue to advance high standards of animal care.”
