The Intercontinental Congress of Pork Producers in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, drew more than 1,000 pork producers and 100 exhibitors last week, including National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) officers, Trade Committee producer-members and NPPC staff.
Opormex – the Organization of Mexican Pig Farmers co-hosted this meeting with NPPC. It’s the leading forum for pork production in Mexico and Latin America, NPPC shared in Capital Update.
“The Intercontinental Congress of Pork Producers attracts global players in the pork industry and provides a showcase for innovations, access to key decision makers, and an opportunity to make strategic connections,” NPPC wrote.
Among the topics discussed at the fourth Congress were U.S. agricultural trade policy, challenges and opportunities for the swine sector, generational succession management, biosecurity and traceability. Iowa pork producer and NPPC president-elect Rob Brenneman also participated in an animal welfare panel.
“I really thought it was a good session for two reasons. Number one, listening to the speakers. Some of them were U.S. farmers like Rob Brenneman, Mike Paustian, Randy Spronk, but there were many good speakers up on stage,” says Lori Stevermer, NPPC past-president. “Number two, I appreciated the chance to visit with our counterparts as part of the Mexican Pork Congress and the Mexican Pork Council.”
She adds that NPPC has been holding meetings over the last few years as part of the trilateral meetings with Mexico, Canada and U.S. NPPC officers and Trade Committee members discussed topics of mutual interest, including animal health, economic and political issues, and Brazilian pork exports to the North American market.
“We have the same concerns,” Stevermer explains. “We focused on health and biosecurity. We’re both looking at ways to increase consumption of our products. I really thought it was a good conference, good time and and a good chance to get to know people better. They say you shouldn’t get to know someone for the first time during a crisis. That’s why it’s important to build these relationships now.”
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