As individuals, you either like working with others or you don’t. We discover these things about ourselves during our school years and these traits develop further during our careers. As a trade association, these same behavioral tendencies also exist. Overall, I would say the U.S. animal food industry tends to play well with others. This is demonstrated by the work of American Feed Industry Association members and by AFIA’s membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).
Early input from a broad swath of food activists and professional groups encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the size of its 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) and introduce greater transparency into the process by livestreaming its meetings. But, despite the increased opportunity for public input and a thorough review of current research, there is little evidence that federal dietary guidelines have done much for the public’s health since major changes to the recommended daily allowances were implemented 40 years ago. So, is the problem the dietary guidelines or individual eating patterns?
Tim Belstra of Belstra Milling, the American Feed Industry Association’s 2019-20 Board chair, delivered a short video message today to members detailing how the animal food industry is supporting local communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The headlines across the news and social media are daunting. They range from people needing help feeding their families and pets to medical and first responders calling for more personal protective equipment (PPE) so that they can stay safe while caring for others. Did you know, the U.S. animal food industry is working in many areas to help others during these tough times? Are you wondering how you or your company can help during the novel coronavirus pandemic? Below are a few examples from around the industry and ideas to consider.
In this tumultuous time, our industry plays an important role in not only getting fact-based news and information out, but also in sharing the powerful story of our industry employees, who continue to report to work to ensure a stable feed and pet food supply. The American Feed Industry Association is participating in and following a few social media initiatives to help share the stories of the agriculture industry and we hope that you will join us.
American Feed Industry Association President and CEO Constance Cullman delivered a short video message today to members detailing how the association is addressing industry challenges in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic. She asks that members continue sharing their concerns with the staff so that our essential industry can make it through the public health crisis together.
Over the past few weeks, we have received several questions from members, media and the public about the novel coronavirus’s impacts on the animal food industry and its products. American consumers are rightly concerned about access to affordable and nutritious protein and dairy products for their families and pet food for their companion animals during this trying time. The American Feed Industry Association has responded to these questions, based on what we have learned from our members and regulatory agencies.
Many feed manufacturing facilities may suddenly find it difficult to obtain N95 respirators (sometimes incorrectly referred to as N95 face masks) due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. N95 disposable respirators are commonly used in our industry to protect the health of employees handling hazardous materials. As the country is facing a temporary shortage of this personal protective equipment, there are several things that facility managers may want to think through concerning their facility’s respirator program.
“It’s a challenging time but I think our industry, the animal food industry, we’re here. We’re ready to help. We’re going to make sure our livestock and poultry and companion animals have the food that they need so you and I can continue to have the food that we need…for our families.”
With nearly a dozen states now issuing orders to close non-essential businesses in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the American Feed Industry Association took quick action last week to ensure that feed, feed ingredient and pet food manufacturers could continue supplying their customers with food to feed their livestock, poultry and companion animals.