A coalition of stakeholders in animal agriculture has put together a second Sustainability Summit after a positive response in 2009.  Leading experts from animal agriculture and representatives from the retail and food service industries will meet to identify and discuss sustainability and environmental stewardship.

"Carbon footprints, cap & trade, biofuels, greenhouse gases, renewable energy - these are just a few of the many terms entering our vocabularies today," explained Kevin Igli, Tyson Foods, and program committee co-chairman. "Animal agriculture has long been a responsible steward of the environment, having taken the lead in the development of technologies and innovations that have focused on protecting the environment. Even before energy became more expensive and environmental concerns hit the headlines, animal agriculture has led the way in using resources efficiently," Igli said.

"As the American consumer becomes more demanding on all industries to demonstrate environmental responsibility, animal agriculture is under constant scrutiny, said Dennis Treacy, Smithfield Foods, program committee co-chairman. "The pressures extend all the way from the farm to the table, with retail and food service customers also requiring the industry to show how it is responding. This year's program will examine the challenges and strategies of agriculture environmental sustainability in the future," he added.

Admission to the Summit is included with registration to the International Poultry Expo / International Feed Expo. Members of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and AFIA who are actively producing eggs, poultry meat, or feed are eligible for complimentary registration to the IPE /IFE and the Summit by registering online at www.ipe10.org before January 8. /

Photo: Environmental Sustainability Summit Program Committee (seated from left): Kevin Igli, Tyson Foods, co-chairman; Dennis Treacy, Smithfield Foods, co-chairman; Chad Gregory, United Egg Producers; and (standing from left): Dr. Ashley Peterson, American Meat Institute; Warren Howe, Woodruff & Howe Environmental Engineering; Brenda Flick, Sanderson Farms; Keith Epperson; American Feed Industry Association; Kay Johnson-Smith, Animal Agriculture Alliance; and Joe Miller, Rose Acre Farms.