IEC conference in London: Taking steps to the future

“What does CSR mean and what should CSR mean to IEC?”, Joanne Ivy questioned. She went on to say that this is an area where the IEC has been working to provide a common structure for each country and the egg business to build their CSR programme around. She reminded the audience that IEC had adopted the statement that farmers care about producing the highest quality, safest product.

Moreover they care about the environment and the welfare of hens, are providing choice and have a responsibility of feeding the growing world population. In order to meet with these goals, IEC is building relationships with FAO, OIE, and the Consumer Goods Forum.

Green train has left
Apart from the initiatives that the IEC is taking, a wide range of speakers addressed the audience. Such as professor David Hughes of the Imperial College in London, emphasising the need for being prepared for the future. Consumers in the developed world will be demanding food that is produced in a sustainable way. An example is retail giant Wal-Mart that has announced global sustainable agriculture goals. “We and our suppliers are to become carbon neutral in the not to far away future”, Hughes stated. “The green train has left the station and you should be aware of that”, he concluded.

Director Ruud Zanders of Rondeel explained this innovative concept of layer housing as an example of keeping layers in a sustainable way. Currently the Rondeel concept is under expansion in the Netherlands and the first facility will also possibly be built in Germany.

Competitive advantage
Nan-Dirk Mulder of Rabobank International addressed the volatility of global commodity prices and their impact on future egg demand, production and global trade. According to Mulder, in the upcoming ten years, an additional 500 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds are needed to meet global demands, of which 190 tonnes for animal production.

Compared to other animal protein sources, eggs are in a favourable position, since feed efficiency and cost of production are very low. The industry’s early move to alternative systems and low CO2footprint is a competitive advantage, he says. According to Mulder, the egg products industry will become more important as this will benefit from a further globalisation of the market. He forecasts growth markets like China, India and Latin America to play a stronger role on the world market in the coming two decades.

Creating awareness
Jil Benson of JS West in California, USA, is keeping 1,8 million layers. She told the audience about her experiences of gradually moving to alternative systems. After all, California will have to deal with Proposition 2 from 2015, meaning that hens may no longer be kept in traditional cages. Currently JS West keep their hens in various systems and they have their first experiences with enriched systems. “Initially the text about what should be done, was very vague”, Benson stated. However, California egg producers formed their association and gradually found clarity. JS West reviewed the options and is moving forward. “Teaching consumers about modern farming practices is important to create awareness and acceptance about these new practices” Benson concluded.