With trade negotiations set to begin between the U.S. and the U.K., the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) announced Feb. 24 the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the British Meat Processors Assn. (BMPA) to benefit members of each organization and to support and promote mutually beneficial regulations, standards and policies to enhance bilateral trade in meat and poultry products.

“Members of the Meat Institute and the British Meat Processors Assn. share many common goals, especially regarding food safety, sustainability, nutrition and worker safety,” Meat Institute senior vice president for international affairs Bill Westman said. “As our governments begin trade talks, it is important to members in both organizations to formalize an already beneficial relationship. We look forward to working with the Administration and our British counterparts to improve access to significant trade opportunities between our nations.”

The MOU was signed by Warren Panico, Meat Institute chairman and Sigma president and chief executive officer, and Nick Allen, CEO of BMPA.

Allen will attend the Meat Industry Summit, an educational event for Meat Institute members held in conjunction with a meeting of its board of directors, this spring in San Antonio, Texas.

The agreement allows both organizations to extend invitations and member discount rates to the other's conferences, workshops and other educational meetings.

Both organizations will share with each other and disseminate to their members information that is not subject to a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement with their respective governments concerning regulatory, scientific, legislative and international developments that affect the other organization's members. Each organization also will discuss periodically, as needed, other mechanisms that would mutually benefit each other's members.