Press Releases
North American Meat Institute to House Judiciary: Meat & Poultry Industry not to Blame for Inflation
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said consumers saw increased meat prices in 2021 because of labor shortages, greater consumer demand, supply chain problems and other factors experienced by most sectors of the economy.
"Inflation is hurting consumers by erasing the wage gains workers received due to the tight labor market and the pandemic," said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. "It is no wonder the Biden Administration and some members of Congress would rather hold press conferences and hearings instead of addressing the labor shortage and supply chain bottlenecks."
The Meat Institute submitted additional testimony for a hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law called, Reviving Competition, Part 5: Addressing the Effects of Economic Concentration on Americas Food Supply.
North American Meat Institute's Laurie Bryant Inducted into Meat Industry Hall of Fame
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) is excited to announce Laurie Bryant, Executive Director of the Meat Import Council of America, Inc. (MICA) from 2001 through 2020, was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, Class of 2021.
"Laurie's lengthy and distinguished career is filled with accomplishments benefitting the meat industry," said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "The members of the Meat Institute congratulate Laurie, his wife Robbie, his seven children, and 14 grandchildren for this much deserved honor."
"I am very appreciative because it's a special award," Bryant said in his induction speech, which is available here . "It's something our industry has only had for a short time and to be part of that is so special."
North American Meat Institute, FMI Cancel 2022 Annual Meat Conference
Power of Meat Analysis and Discussion Series to be Made Available in February
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and FMI - The Food Industry Association (FMI) today made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Annual Meat Conference (AMC) out of respect for the health of our communities and due to the attention and consideration our respective members are putting into their operations.
"The purpose of AMC is to bring together retailers and the meat and poultry industry," said NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "Like the meat and poultry industry, many of our partners in retail are experiencing significant operational and supply chain challenges. At this time, attending an in-person conference is difficult which diminishes the value of the event for all participants."
North American Meat Institute Applauds Agreement Opening India's Market to U.S. Pork Imports
CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) welcomed India's decision to allow imports of U.S. pork and pork products into the country and thanked the Biden Administration for working to secure increased access for high-quality U.S. meat products to this growing and strategically important export market.
"U.S. pork producers, processors and packers are going to benefit from the expanded market access that this agreement will bring," said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "The Meat Institute is grateful to USDA and USTR for their years of hard work to achieve this outcome."
North American Meat Institute: Government Intervention in Markets Will Not Help Consumers, Producers
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute, the nation's trade association for meat and poultry packers and processors of all sizes, today released the following statement regarding the "The Biden-Harris Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain."
North American Meat Institute to CDFA: Modified Prop 12 Rules Remain Flawed; More Time Needed
WASHINGTON, DC - In comments submitted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) said, despite modification to proposed rules for Proposition 12 (Prop 12 or the law), the proposed rules remain flawed and more time is needed for compliance.
"Until CDFA publishes final rules, no one can adequately prepare to comply with a law with criminal sanctions and that authorizes civil litigation," said Mark Dopp, General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at NAMI. "Rather than apply "˜band aids' to address some challenges, NAMI suggests CDFA go further and afford everyone in the supply chain, from hog producers all the way to foodservice and retail entities, the 28-month preparation time the law, and the voters, contemplated before enforcing any aspect of Prop 12 or its regulations."
North American Meat Institute Hires Bryan Burns of Bachoco OK Foods Burns to Provide Expertise on Workforce, Sustainability & Packers & Stockyards Act Issues
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today announced Bryan Burns, currently of Bachoco OK Foods, will be joining the Meat Institute staff as Vice President and Associate General Counsel focusing on a variety of issues, including workforce and sustainability.
"Bryan has 20 years of experience in the industry and previously worked with the Meat Institute on meat and poultry regulation," said Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute President and CEO. "We are pleased to have his expertise as we assist members in addressing labor, environmental, and sustainability challenges as a part of their participation in Protein PACT."
North American Meat Institute: White House Economic Council Not Very Economic
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today dismissed another desperate attempt by the White House Economic Council to shift blame for record food inflation to the meat and poultry industry.
"The White House Economic Council is again demonstrating its ignorance of agricultural economics and the fundamentals of supply and demand," said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "This argument is simply a rinse and repeat of their September attempts to blame meat and poultry companies for inflation that is not limited to food, but is being felt across the economy.
North American Meat Institute Applauds House Passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act; Urges Senate to Act to Protect US Exports
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives approval of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a bill to prohibit ocean carriers from unreasonably declining export cargo bookings, a practice that has disadvantaged American exporters including the meat and poultry industry.
"The problems at our ports have been exacerbated by the unreasonable practices of foreign-owned ocean carriers, including delays of shipments of American made goods to overseas trading partners," said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. "These delays result in major costs to meat and poultry companies as their perishable products await transport."
North American Meat Institute Applauds Nomination of Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban to Serve as Under Secretary for Food Safety
CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC -- Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute), today congratulated Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban on his nomination to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety:
"Dr. Esteban is well respected and well qualified to lead the food safety mission at the Department," said Potts. "A veterinarian and an epidemiologist with decades of experience at USDA, Esteban is uniquely qualified to ensure sound science drives food safety and public health decision-making. We urge a swift Senate confirmation to ensure Dr. Esteban can assume this critical role without further delay."
North American Meat Institute: Grassley-Fischer Bill Ignores Economic Fundamentals
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute today said a new Senate bill ignores the analysis of beef and cattle markets by the country's leading agricultural economists and the bill's mandated government intervention will have unintended consequences that will hurt livestock producers and consumers.
"Beef and cattle markets are dynamic. This fall prices cattle producers received for their livestock have risen without any government interference," said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. "In a rush to do "˜something,' this bill would replace the free market with government mandates and harm those it is intended to protect: livestock producers."
Meat Institute announces ambitious climate target, releases sustainability framework
CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (the Meat Institute) today (Tuesday) announced that 100% of its members will deliver independently approved science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement goals by 2030.
North American Meat Institute: Labor Shortage Driving Inflation
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 3, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - In Testimony submitted to the House Agriculture Committee, the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the labor shortage continues to challenge the nation's food supply chain raising the cost of all food for consumers.
"Just six weeks ago, the Biden Administration tried to blame the meat and poultry industry for the rising cost of food," said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. "Today, the Congress will hear from other food manufacturers, shippers, input suppliers, growers and retailers enduring the same labor shortages up and down the food supply chain that are driving the record cost of food at the holidays."
North American Meat Institute: COVID protections kept case rates 98% lower than in general population
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2021
Agriculture Trade Education Council Forms to Provide Reliable Trade Information to Public
CONTACT: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - North American Meat Institute (NAMI) International Trade Policy Specialist Michael Schumpp has been elected Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the newly formed Agriculture Trade Education Council (ATEC), which officially launched today. ATEC's mission is to provide understandable and reliable information on trade to inform and empower decision-making that facilitates growth in U.S. food and agriculture.
ATEC's Board of Directors brings decades of experience helping farmers, policy makers, and business navigate the global economy. They aim to promote trade by broadening Americans' understanding of trade policies and how to engage in international trade.
North American Meat Institute Statement on Cattle Contract Library Act
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute), a trade association for meat and poultry packers and processors of all sizes, today released the following statement regarding the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, H.R. 5609 , which was marked up and reported out of the House Committee on Agriculture:
North American Meat Institute: Meat and Poultry Industry to Assist USDA in Reducing Salmonella Infections
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new national goal of reducing Salmonella illnesses by 25 percent and committed to continue working with USDA and other groups to achieve the shared goal of reducing Salmonella infections.
"As an industry, our goal is to produce safe products without exception," said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. "The industry has significantly improved efforts to reduce incidence of Salmonella, and we will continue to work with USDA to do all we can to detect and deter incidents of Salmonellosis, especially by coordinating with partners in the supply chain on best practices and research."
NAMI Witness to House Ag Committee: Beef & Cattle Markets Driven by Supply & Demand
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little, 202-587-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2021
New Texas A&M Report: Government Interference in Beef & Cattle Markets has Unintended Consequences; Will Cost Producers Billions
CONTACT: NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to a bipartisan request from the House Agriculture Committee, Texas A&M University has completed a comprehensive report on the U.S. cattle and beef markets written by leading economists across the country. Among its key findings is that proposals increasing government intervention and mandates will cost livestock producers billions of dollars.
"Thursday the House Agriculture Committee will hold the fourth Congressional hearing this year on beef and cattle markets. It is no surprise that the Texas A&M analysis reflects the expert testimony at each hearing: supply and demand have the most influence on the price of cattle and goods for consumers," said Meat Institute President and CEO, Julie Anna Potts.
North American Meat Institute Selects Inaugural Class of Emerging Leaders
CONTACT: NAMI: Megan McCullough (202) 587-4241
