The 19th International Feed Regulators Meeting in Foz do Iguaçu brought together more than 80 global leaders and regulatory officials to align trade and safety frameworks. High on the agenda were strategies for scaling sustainable circular feed ingredients and leveraging animal nutrition to reduce reliance on antimicrobials across the global livestock chain.
The European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC), represented by President Nicolas Coudry-Mesny and Rodrigo Nascimento, joined government officials, regulatory representatives, and industry experts from over 25 countries at the 19th International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM), held on 30–31 July in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), the annual forum serves as a critical bridge between international policymakers and the global feed manufacturing sector. Notably, official government regulatory authorities comprised roughly one-third of this year’s delegation, underscoring the event's unique position as the leading global platform for public-private dialogue on feed safety, regulatory convergence, and sustainable livestock production.
Throughout the two-day summit, discussions focused on accelerating regulatory convergence, advancing Codex Alimentarius activities, and evaluating progress under the International Cooperation for Convergence of Technical Requirements for the Assessment of Feed Ingredients (ICCF). Delegates examined digital regulatory innovations, with a specific focus on electronic labelling solutions designed to streamline ingredient traceability and global trade compliance.
A central highlight of the proceedings was the role of targeted animal nutrition in enhancing livestock health and welfare, directly supporting global efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Participants also established safety protocols and regulatory parameters for circular feed sources, recognizing their necessity in building resource-efficient, resilient food systems. Interactive World Café sessions encouraged open dialogue and enabled regional knowledge exchanges across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and North America to address increasingly interconnected supply chain challenges and generate recommendations for future international cooperation.
Key global leaders and organization representatives highlighted the strategic outcomes of the meeting:
Daniela Battaglia, Livestock Production Officer at FAO:
Daniela Battaglia
"The International Feed Regulators Meeting continues to demonstrate the value of constructive dialogue between governments, international organizations and the feed industry. Working together allows us to share knowledge, strengthen regulatory approaches and support safe, sustainable and resilient livestock production systems that contribute to food security and One Health."
Constance Cullman, Chair of IFIF:
Constance Cullman
"For nearly two decades, the IFRM has served as the world’s premier forum where feed regulators and the global feed sector come together to exchange experiences, build trust and advance practical solutions to shared challenges. This year’s discussions on regulatory convergence, nutritional innovation and circular feed systems once again underscored that international collaboration is essential to advancing innovation, ensuring feed safety and supporting resilient, sustainable animal agriculture."
Alexandra de Athayde, Executive Director of IFIF:
Alexandra de Athayde
"The strength of the IFRM lies in bringing together regulators and the feed industry in an open and constructive environment where we can learn from one another and address shared challenges. This year’s meeting demonstrated once again that international collaboration is essential to advancing science-based regulation, supporting innovation, facilitating trade and ultimately contributing to safe, sustainable and resilient feed and food systems. We thank all participants for making the 19th IFRM another outstanding success."
FEFAC welcomed the continued collaboration between FAO, IFIF, regulators, and feed-sector stakeholders, reaffirming that strengthening international regulatory cooperation, promoting proportionate and science-based approaches, and enabling innovation are essential to maintaining safe, sustainable, and resilient feed and food systems.
Organized annually since 2007 by the FAO and IFIF, the International Feed Regulators Meeting (IFRM) is the premier global platform for feed regulators and industry stakeholders to harmonize safety standards, streamline trade requirements, and promote One Health initiatives.