February 2024 round-up: FAO report, Cell-based Meat Update, Plant-Protein news, Food Systems and EU Deforestation & more
Hi all,
We are excited to share with you the February insights - make sure you’re across how to engage and be involved; what came from key moments; actions industry can take, and how we share our voice!
The Big 5 takeaways this month:
1. Eco-labelling:
We outline what you need to know with a new GMA Eco-labelling Key Messages doc in the GMA Resources folder here, which takes you through the developments of eco-labelling and where we are now with requirements. In the UK, newly released eco-labelling guidelines from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) was intended to be the UK solution to so many eco-labels in the market but concerns have been raised about these guidelines since not covering the complexity of environmental impacts.
2. Plant-Protein news
This month, Teagasc are heading up the VALPRO Path project in the plant protein sector, showing how plant-based products could be made more sustainable. This revolutionary project aims to explore how supply chains can be shortened with production of raw materials for such alternatives produced on-farm itself.
3. Dublin Declaration 2024
The findings of the original Dublin Declaration Summit will be reshared at an event to be held in Denver in October 2024, and at various refresher events this year and beyond. To have our voices heard at these global moments, GMA have refreshed a social toolkit and set of assets ready for use in the lead up to this event and any others. Please continue to amplify the visibility of the Dublin Declaration this year and the science backing the societal role of meat. Find the refreshed toolkit for the Dublin Declaration here within the social assets folder.
4. Cell-based meat
Activity around the growth of cell-based meat has been ramped up since COP28. While the plant-based sector declines, cell-based scientific development appeared to have funding and support on the ground at COP28 and growing interest since positioning itself as the new plant-based meat ‘without the methane.’ We look at what this could mean for industry and how to be ready.
5. FAO Report
This month the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) have released a roadmap to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 – towards Zero Hunger. This forms an official connection between FAO and a UN goal for the first time, meaning the livestock industry will need to baseline itself and empower farmers and industry to ensure we are leading as global actors towards targets.
Plus… in the media
This month we look at meat’s role in the media spotlight once again, this month with the documentary “Pignorant" gaining widespread attention across social media. It follows former gang member turned animal-activist, Joey Carbstrong, as he embarks on a three-year undercover investigation into farmed pigs in the UK. Meanwhile, good news stories are shared on social media by BLNZ and others this month with great achievements in industry. (page 5)
Plus… How the contribution of livestock is about more than just food production?
GMA have been in touch with European Livestock Voice (ELV) about the contribution of livestock beyond just food production, and how this should be positioned in our messaging about the importance of animals remaining firmly in a product supply chain and complete food system. We look at their recent campaign Meat the Facts and Clare Carlisle from the ELV team talks about the work they are doing to highlight other uses for animal protein. (page 4)
As always, please email eleanorvlimited@outlook.com if you want to receive these reports in full and we can will be pleased to add you to our database! And if you have any questions on any of the content, please feel free to connect with us.