The U.S. meat sector launched this week its first-ever progress report that units baselines for measuring progress towards bold targets in environmental sustainability, animal care, meals security, employee security, and meals safety. With 100% of the Meat Institute’s massive U.S. members (greater than 2,000 workers) submitting knowledge, the report covers an estimated 90% of meat bought in the USA.
Simply in time for the United Nations Local weather Summit subsequent week in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the report reveals that about 81% of amenities reporting knowledge are lined by Meat Institute members’ commitments to cut back greenhouse gasoline (GHG) emissions.
“98% of American households buy meat, placing our sector undoubtedly on the heart of options for wholesome diets, wholesome communities, and a wholesome planet for generations to come back,” mentioned Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The Meat Institute’s first-ever steady enchancment report is a sport changer for transparency within the sector – setting clear baselines that can enable us to measure progress and confirm our sector’s contributions to international objectives.”
Introduced in 2021, the Meat Institute’s Protein PACT established a set of objectives to satisfy by 2025 and 2030 to confirm progress alongside the way in which. By 2025, 100% of NAMI members who deal with animals plan to go third-party animal transport and dealing with audits whereas all members would require all suppliers to implement necessary worker coaching and observe species-specific requirements for animal care. Members will even work with the USDA and non-profit Feeding America to measure and assist fill the protein hole to make sure households in want have sufficient high-quality protein.
By 2030, 100% of NAMI members plan to have delivered an authorized Science-Based mostly Goal to cut back emissions consistent with the Paris Local weather Settlement objectives. They will even additional cut back office accidents by 50% (2019 baseline), on prime of the 75% discount achieved from 1999 to 2019. Lastly, NAMI mentioned the purpose is for all of its members to be reporting on each metric space in 2030.
Key findings within the newest report that doc progress towards the objectives embrace:
- Supporting NAMI’s dedication to measure and fill the “protein hole” for needy households by 2025, 78% of reporting firms donate cash or merchandise to meals banks and charities, together with greater than $9 million introduced this 12 months to fight starvation by constructing or increasing meals banks’ capability to soundly obtain, retailer, bundle, and distribute contemporary meat hungry households want.
- 82% of reporting amenities are lined by an organization dedication to reduce packaging waste, and 71% are lined by an organization dedication to cut back meals waste.
- 96% of reporting amenities that conduct meat processing require suppliers to keep up a written animal welfare program based mostly on NAMI Animal Dealing with Pointers.
- 98% of reporting amenities have a multidisciplinary group that periodically evaluations meals security applications and takes enchancment actions.
The complete report will be accessed right here.