The international World Meat Congress kicked off in Mato Grosso, Brazil, on Tuesday morning.

The three-day conference will hear from global meat experts, including some of the challenges and opportunities that face the meat sector.

The conference takes place against the backdrop of increased global demand for meat products and declining production across some of the larger global players in meat production including the USA and EU.

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There is a big focus on sustainable meat production as part of the conference, with one of the first sessions going to discuss the dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in animal protein production.

President of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS) Juan José Grigera Naón opened the conference commenting on some of the challenges that are facing IMS members, including the trade of meat around the world and the need for basing any decisions that may be taken in the future around science.

Beef production

A number of speakers, including some from the local government in Mato Grosso, have all strongly defended the Brazilian beef production system with particular reference to the state of Mato Grosso making changes to beef production systems and reducing deforestation rates in recent years.

Bord Bia is in attendance with CEO Jim O'Toole and as is beef sector manager Mark Zieg.

Bord Bia will receive the baton at the end of the conference to begin preparations for Ireland hosting the World Meat Congress in 2028.

The Irish meat industry is also represented at the conference with Meat Industry Ireland’s Dale Crammond in Brazil representing the Irish processors.

The IFA is also attending for the duration of the conference. ABP also has a delegation which includes Stephen Connolly at the three-day conference.

Follow farmersjournal.ie for daily reports and pick up a copy of this week’s paper for some of the highlights of the conference.