The global livestock/aqua sector represents around 50% of the GDP value created in agriculture. It provides an income livelihood for 1.3 billion persons. Livestock/aqua-derived foods (LADF) are the most nutrient-dense food sources: 43% of the bioavailable proteins in human nutrition derive from LADF, and for many critical nutrients the ratio can be up to 66%, such as for lysine. No other major food category can be produced as affordably, economically and sustainably on a per nutrient basis. The three billion persons in the world that are malnourished according to the UN, are primarily so, because not sufficient LADFs are available to them. The global herds, flocks and shoals of animals can feed on materials flows that would otherwise be waste and would often need to be disposed of otherwise. The global grasslands and much forestry depends on livestock for their biodiversity fidelity. Eggs, dairy, fats, fish and meats are essential for feeding the global population sustainably and securely in the decades to come. Investments in economically and environmentally resilient livestock systems are possible and necessary, requiring the right conditions for investment. Pioneering business leaders show the way of how it can be done. Fast growth and value creation are the rewards for such businesses on all continents. Special attention is deserved to African business, for its unmatched opportunities in structural long term value creation.      

Yet, the global livestock/aqua sector is under attack like never before. Claims are made about meats or dairy being unhealthy, feed for animals would be taking away from human food production, biodiversity habitats would be under threat and the food system would be the world’s largest contributing sector to climate change, mostly due to its animals. Based on these claims, there exists loud advocacy for strong reduction of meat and dairy consumption. The dominant narrative on the public airwaves is putting LADF consumers into the defensive and inducing guilt.

It should not be like this. An important task of the industry is to regain initiative on the narrative in the public mind and among stakeholder groups. The sector can formulate and pronounce its own narrative of health, prosperity, security and sustainability. It can be a narrative of hope, that with animals that we treat well, we can live on a healthy planet in sustainable and circular systems. Unbiased evidence from the sciences says that this is possible and desirable.

It is the aim of our meeting – to inspire each other, reflect and think, what can be building blocks of such a narrative that can be told to our stakeholder communities, be they consumers, customers, employees, suppliers and society at large. We are seeking a narrative that will inspire the global citizenship to cherish how animals help us be a prosperous, peaceful, healthy and sustainable world.

“Every time I discuss with Peer, I learn something important that I did not know before”
Theo de Jager, President World Farmers Organisation, 2018

“The most condensed high-quality information I have ever got in 2 days”
Anian Schreiber, CEO and Founder of TasteCocoa, 2018

“We are going to distribute this case study in our organization to contribute to our own strategy-making.”
Fabian Waldmeier, Director Fairtrade International, 2018

“So well captured”.
Nadine Küster, General Secretary Danone, 2017

“I have been to Darden for two weeks, but one day of EFAS is better than two weeks of Darden”
Adnan al Mahmood, General Manager GPIC, 2017

“It has been an inspiration, very well done, an audience of 50 likeminded peers that really ask relevant questions, and it has helped me accelerate my thinking”
Christoffer Lorenzen, EVP Christian Hansen, 2017

“I did numerous studies, maybe hundreds of Harvard cases, but this was one of the best”
Markus Laenzlinger, CEO Migrolino, 2017

“Excellent content, facilitation and format – outstanding”
Tim Hart, CEO Ridley Corporation, 2016

“Much beyond my expectations – I will surely return”
Gustavo Grobocopatel, Chairman Los Grobo, 2013

“Rich, useful, time extremely well invested”
Stefano Vlahovic, CEO Produkti Pitania, 2011

“This is for people who want to get things done”
Hans Roelofs, CEO Refresco, 2009
 
“I have not been to an event yet where we got into the real issues so deep so fast.”
Lennart Holm, CEO Perstorp, 2007

“There has not been one case that did not inspire me”
Wout Dekker, CEO Nutreco 2007

“Excellent. We should have had such a seminar much earlier"
Hugh Grant, CEO Monsanto 2005