Feeding a Hungry World: A Summit for Animal Agriculture

Summit registration form (PDF)

Full Summit Program

Why we urgently need to focus on animal agriculture?

Conventional agriculture, especially animal agriculture, is in danger of losing its social contract – the public support needed to profitably serve society through food production.

Many children don’t know that ham is a pork product. Most families are at least one generation removed from farm roots.  They are losing appreciation of the importance of conventional agriculture in their lives. They take affordable food for granted, and increasingly don’t support agriculture-friendly public policies.

We need to urgently rebuild agriculture’s social contract with Canadians. Our industry must meaningfully address such issues as sustainability, animal welfare, and food safety. The public’s support for conventional agriculture is critical if the industry is to remain sound and capable of meeting the world’s food needs in the twenty-first century and beyond.

Objectives of the summit:

1. To provide a unique opportunity for leaders in the agri-food sector to collectively discuss the future for animal agriculture in Canada, within a global context.
2. To increase awareness of the role of animal agriculture in many areas, with a goal to “make it a priority” in Canada.
3. To discuss and develop communication strategies and options for members of Canada’s agri-food sector to proactively and effectively work together on a “social contract”.
4. To develop a follow up plan for ongoing action and discussion with options for attendees to implement after the session.

• Download the Summit Backgrounder [PDF]

How do we grow more food with fewer resources under increasing public scrutiny?

Agri-food industry leaders from across Canada have been inspired to come together to coordinate the first Feeding a Hungry World: A Summit for Animal Agriculture at the Delta Ottawa Centre this October. The Summit will be a unique opportunity to start the conversation and help shape the direction animal agriculture needs to work towards for a sustainable future.

The Summit goals include discussing key industry issues, developing a strategy for a strong social contract and agreeing on an action plan to increase animal agriculture’s profile. The Farm Care Foundation, a new charity working to enhance public trust and confidence in Canadian food and farming, is hosting the Summit.

• Download the Summit Evite and Agenda [PDF]
• Summit registration form (PDF)

map and directions to hotel