soybean field

USSEC’s European Mission Focuses on Sustainability, Collaboration

USSEC attended a series of events and meetings in Europe from October 16-20.
USSEC consultant David Green of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance and USSEC Project Manager - Market Access/FTO Katie Williams attended SIAL Paris (a major international food exhibition) and the U.N’s Committee on World Food Security event in Rome, in addition to conducting one-on-one meetings in Brussels, Belgium and Dordrecht, Netherlands.
“During SIAL Paris and our meetings in Brussels and Rome, David and I were able to have face to face meetings with contacts from various Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) offices, retailers, food processors, and others,” stated Ms. Williams. “During these conversations, we were able to discern that European retailers are extremely interested in sustainability and recognize the potential for collaboration.”

David Green speaks at the SIAL TV panel on sustainability. Mr. Green made several key points to participants, explaining that 95 percent of U.S farms are family farms; that innovations such as precision ag, GPS, and drones reduce mass irrigation; and discussed challenges to Innovation
David Green speaks at the SIAL TV panel on sustainability. Mr. Green made several key points to participants, explaining that 95 percent of U.S farms are family farms; that innovations such as precision ag, GPS, and drones reduce
mass irrigation; and discussed challenges to Innovation

Changing mindsets takes time. The successes of the Global Broad-based Initiative (GBI) program over the past two years are steps in the right direction, says Ms. Williams. Ongoing dialogue and communication with contacts made to date and with new stakeholders was appreciated by EU stakeholders. This base of contacts will be leveraged and built on to further improve the understanding and appreciation of the reality of sustainability and conservation in the U.S. The sustainability and conservation production processes used in U.S. agriculture, forestry, and fishery products are viewed positively by European audiences following outreach, education and information exchange on missions such as the above.

In Rome, the USSEC delegation attended the Committee of World Food Security
In Rome, the USSEC delegation attended the Committee of World Food Security

USSEC’s participation helps communicate to European audiences that U.S. agriculture and industry is sustainable and that many cooperators participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation schemes. Also, the fact that some 95 percent of farms in the U.S. are family farms and that the U.S. has been enacting conservation laws and policies for more than 100 years were two points which were both new and enlightening to the European audience.

David Green and Laurent Journo of FAS Paris tend to the USDA booth at SIAL Paris 2016. USSA's pop-up posters are prominently displayed and cooperator fact sheets line the front table
David Green and Laurent Journo of FAS Paris tend to the USDA booth at SIAL Paris 2016. USSA's pop-up posters are prominently displayed and cooperator fact sheets line the front table
Organic Trade Association, a USSA cooperator, had fact sheets in 5 languages
Organic Trade Association, a USSA cooperator, had fact sheets in 5 languages
An example of a booth with their sustainability messaging prominently displayed. Its scheme is also voluntary.
An example of a booth with their sustainability messaging prominently displayed. Its scheme is also voluntary.
IAFN Member List
IAFN Member List
Sustainable Development Goals Session at the IAFN
Sustainable Development Goals Session
Genetic Diversity on  on Food Security and Nutrition: this session focused on specific genetic traits of food. With regards to animal utilization, people who eat the entire animal have better nutrition and micronutrient profiles.
Genetic Diversity on on Food Security and Nutrition: this session focused on specific genetic traits of food. With regards to animal utilization, people who eat the entire animal have better nutrition and micronutrient profiles.