The 69th FEFAC Annual Public Meeting, set to take place in Rome, Italy, on May 29, promises to be a pivotal event for stakeholders in the livestock, feed, and grain sectors. The gathering will delve into the opportunities and challenges presented by sustainable livestock practices, green feed, and grain trade, providing a platform for key industry figures to share their insights and recommendations.
For agritech investors, the event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the future direction of the European livestock and aquaculture sectors. The keynote presentation by Brigitte Misonne, acting director of markets at DG AGRI, European Commission, will outline the “New Vision for EU Agriculture and Food,” with a specific focus on the long-term EU livestock strategy. This strategy aims to balance the need for sustainable production with the respect for planetary boundaries, a critical consideration for agritech innovations focused on sustainability.
Massimiliano Giansanti, president of COPA, will provide key recommendations on how the New Vision can facilitate the livestock sector’s transition to a more competitive and sustainable production system. This transition is crucial for the development and adoption of agritech solutions that can enhance productivity, reduce environmental impact, and ensure food security.
The first panel discussion, featuring Roxanne Feller, president of European Livestock Voice; Paolo Zanetti, president of the European Dairy Association; and Marcello Veronesi, ASSALZOO and FEFAC board member, will explore how value chain partners can contribute to the implementation of the new long-term strategy. This discussion is particularly relevant for agritech investors, as it will highlight the collaborative efforts needed to integrate innovative technologies into the livestock and aquaculture sectors.
The second panel will focus on the current global trade escalation affecting European feed grain and livestock markets. Ted Swinkel, president of COCERAL, will provide the EU grain and feed trade perspective, while Jim Sutter, CEO of USSEC, will share the global market outlook from a U.S. soy exporter’s perspective. This panel will be crucial for understanding the geopolitical factors influencing the feed and grain trade, which can impact the adoption and scalability of agritech solutions.
Gustavo Idigoras, president of CIARA-CEC (Argentinian Soy Exporters); Ricardo Arioli, president of CNA/SENAR (Brazilian Soy Producers); and Pedro Corder, president of FEFAC, will discuss the outlook on the transatlantic green feed trade. They will examine the impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), reflecting on current tariff escalations with the United States and China. This discussion is essential for agritech investors, as it will provide insights into the regulatory and trade environment that can affect the deployment of sustainable feed and grain technologies.
The event will be moderated by Andrea Bertaglio, an environmental journalist, and Anton van den Brink, FEFAC deputy secretary general, ensuring a balanced and insightful discussion. For investors, the event represents a valuable opportunity to engage with industry leaders, gain firsthand knowledge of the sector’s challenges and opportunities, and identify potential investment areas in the agritech space.
Silvio Ferrari, president of ASSALZOO, highlighted the significance of the event, marking the 80th anniversary of ASSALZOO’s founding. This milestone underscores the industry’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation, which are key drivers for agritech investments.
FEFAC President Pedro Cordero emphasized the sector’s commitment to advancing the goals set out in the FEFAC Sustainability Charter 2030. In the face of geopolitical uncertainties and pressures on free trade, maintaining a forward-thinking approach is crucial. By seizing opportunities for sustainable trade and leveraging investments in cutting-edge animal nutrition solutions, the sector can strengthen both the resilience and competitiveness of EU livestock and aquaculture industries. This forward-thinking approach is essential for agritech investors looking to support innovative solutions that can drive sustainable growth in the sector.
