The 13th annual International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM), organized by the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) in cooperation with the U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), brought together feed industry representatives and government officials from around the world to discuss critical issues facing the feed sector with IFIF and FAO.

“I am delighted we had a record number of participants from across the world and from key regulatory bodies join us at the 13th IFRM. This meeting, yet again, proved to be an important opportunity for the global feed industry and feed regulators to discuss key issues for the feed and food chain, including key feed regulatory updates and changes, an update on Codex Alimentarius work with relevance to feed, as well as a session on the implementation of biosecurity measures at feed mill level in different regions,” IFIF chairman Dr. Daniel Bercovici said.

“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,” Bercovici added.

“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, animal production officer, FAO Animal Production & Health Division. “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 discussed at the 13th IFRM included updates on the revision of the IFIF/FAO “Good practices for the Feed Industry” Feed Manual and the FAO/WHO report on hazards associated with animal feed, as well as a session on the work of the International Cooperation for Convergence of Technical Requirements for the Assessment of Feed Ingredients, which aims toward convergence of technical requirements specific to feed additive/ingredient authorization across regions.