Press Releases
19th annual Power of Meat reports strong meat consumption, evolving consumer trends
The number of Americans who describe themselves as meat eaters (80%) and the number of households that purchase meat (98%) remain steady from 2023, while the number seeking to decrease meat consumption has fallen by 20% since 2020, according to the 19th annual Power of Meat report released today by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association.
Meat Institute, FMI Announce 2024 Leaders of Tomorrow Program Winners
To kick off the 2024 Annual Meat Conference, the Meat Institute and FMI – The Food Industry Association announced 10 winners for the 2024 Leaders of Tomorrow Program.
Meat Institute Unveils New Logo and Brand Identity
Washington, DC - Celebrating nearly 120 years of leadership on behalf of North America’s meat companies, the Meat Institute (formerly the “North American Meat Institute”) today unveiled a new logo and brand identity reflecting its dynamic, forward-looking approach to ensuring meat remains at the heart of nourishing the present and sustaining the future.
The new logo evokes the shape of a plate, with the open frame indicating transparency and inclusiveness. The varying thickness of the plate’s border brings a sense of movement, signaling constant evolution and pursuit of continuous improvement.
The new brand identity will be featured at the Annual Meat Conference March 18-20 in Nashville.
Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts commented:
Changes to Packers & Stockyards Act Will Not Affect Competition
The latest attempt by the Biden Administration to disrupt the meat and poultry industry with changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act’s (PSA) regulations does nothing to encourage competition and instead attempts to give new authorities to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to exert federal control over business contracts.
CMC, COMECARNE & Meat Institute Sign Joint Statement of Coordination
To deepen meat industry coordination and government collaboration in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC), Consejo Mexicano de la Carne (COMECARNE), and the Meat Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes the three associations’ ongoing work to improve trade, reduce regulatory barriers and enhance information exchange within North America. The organizations also finalized a Joint Statement of Coordination that emphasizes their collective commitment to addressing foreign animal diseases, sustainability and non-tariff trade barriers.
Training for 100 meat companies to measure emissions and set climate targets
Up to 100 of America’s leading meat companies will have the opportunity to complete climate training programs offered by Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LOCT), following a $65,000 investment by the Meat Institute to kickstart the partnership and enable members to participate in training focused on setting science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Meat Institute: House Passes Bill to Preserve the Veterinary Use of Xylazine
The Meat Institute today applauded the House of Representatives for passing the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act that, in part, fights the illicit use of xylazine in humans while preserving access to the drug for use in animals.
Media Advisory: Meat, dairy experts advance climate, food security solutions at COP28
The Meat Institute and the Protein PACT for the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow will highlight animal agriculture’s commitments and progress toward global goals in multiple high-level engagements at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai November 30-December 12.
Meat Institute Congratulates Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
The Meat Institute today released the following statement regarding the election of Representative Mike Johnson (R-La.) to be Speaker of the House.
Meat Institute’s Dr. KatieRose McCullough Appointed to USDA Food Safety Advisory Committee
The Meat Institute today announced Dr. KatieRose McCullough was appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) bringing her scientific expertise and industry knowledge to federal food safety agencies.
Meat Institute Selects Class of 2024 Emerging Leaders
The Meat Institute selected 20 participants for its 2024 Emerging Leaders Program, which promotes and develops future leaders in the meat and poultry industry.
New data highlight continuous improvement, sustainability across meat sector
In the second year of the meat sector’s pioneering data collection and reporting on five key focus areas for continuous improvement, the number of companies submitting data grew by nearly 60% and now covering more than half of all establishments operated by Meat Institute members.
Landmark tool supports meat sector greenhouse gas reduction targets
A new tool released jointly today by the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) and the United Nations Global Compact Network USA (the U.S. chapter of the United Nations Global Compact) will aid meat companies of all sizes in measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – advancing the Meat Institute’s aim for 100% of its members to set science-based GHG reduction targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Meat Institute Partners with IT-ISAC to Improve Cybersecurity with New Food & Ag ISAC
The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today announced a new partnership with the Information Technology-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC) on the launch of a Food and Agriculture ISAC to enhance cybersecurity for the meat and poultry industry.
Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council launched to inform continuous improvement and identify research priorities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:May 22, 2023
CONTACT:Sarah Little(443) 440-0029
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today announced the launch of the Protein PACT Academic Advisory Council, formed to advise on research priorities and the latest evidence related to meat production and consumption.
The seven members of the advisory council are renowned independent researchers from the United States' top universities, with expertise encompassing environmental sustainability, human nutrition and development, combating hunger, and more.
Advisory Council members are:
North American Meat Institute to House Ag Subcommittee: Meat and Poultry Industry Facing Headwinds, Remains Resilient with Record Production
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2023
CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
WASHINGTON, DC - At a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, Bryan Burns, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) said the meat and poultry industry was facing economic headwinds, challenges in the courts and hurdles with new regulations but remains resilient with record production.
"I want to emphasize that the industry is incredibly resilient, despite claims to the contrary," said Burns. "Against challenges such as COVID, supply chain disruptions, labor availability, and the impact of drought, beef production set new records for four consecutive years from 2019 through 2022. Pork production has seen its highest four-year totals over the same period."
In Case You Missed It Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Says: "The Big Meat Conspiracy Theory Unravels"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2023
CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
WASHINGTON, DC - The Wall Street Journal's editorial board ran the following editorial in the May 14, 2023 edition of the paper: "The Big Meat Conspiracy Theory Unravels" Tyson Foods loses money, which doesn't sound like a monopoly.
Remember when President Biden and progressives last year accused meat packers of colluding to fatten their profits. Are they now conspiring to lose money? Tyson Foods last week reported its first quarterly loss since 2009 as meat prices tumbled. Here's a lesson in market economics, Mr. President.
North American Meat Institute: SCOTUS Decision to Uphold Lower Court Ruling on Prop 12 Disappointing
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2023
North American Meat Institute: PRIME Act is a Food Safety Risk
WASHINGTON, DC – The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today again announced its opposition to the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act, or the PRIME Act, for the risk it poses to food safety.
“American consumers rely on rigorous USDA inspection to ensure the safety and quality of their meat and poultry,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Allowing meat to enter commerce without inspection – and without alerting consumers they are buying uninspected meat -- jeopardizes food safety and will undermine consumer confidence in all meat products.”
The PRIME Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Thomas Massie (R- Ky.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine). U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have introduced the same bill in the Senate.
Meat Institute to House Ag: More to Beef & Cattle Markets than Packers & Producers
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the beef and cattle markets are complex, driven by supply and demand and have more participants than packers and producers who add value at each step in production.
"Too often, the policy debate around the cattle and beef industry is an overly-simplified discussion limited to cattle producers versus beef packers. It is imperative policy makers remember: packers don't buy fed cattle from cow-calf producers; nor do packers sell beef to consumers," said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. "Congress and USDA should not make radical changes to the cattle and beef markets: such changes will up-end the markets, increase costs for the entire supply chain, including for consumers during this time of record inflation, and bring unintended consequences."
