BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — Speakers have been confirmed for the 69th FEFAC Annual Public Meeting on May 29 at Villa Aurelia in Rome, Italy, which will examine sustainable livestock, green feed and grain trade opportunities and challenges.

Brigitte Misonne, acting director, markets, DG AGRI, European Commission, will give the keynote presentation on the “New Vision for EU Agriculture and Food.” This will include a specific focus on the announced long-term EU livestock strategy while respecting planetary boundaries.

Massimiliano Giansanti, president of COPA, will share his key recommendations on how the New Vision should enable the livestock sector’s transition to a more competitive and sustainable production system, to provide more resilient and affordable food supplies.

Roxanne Feller, president, European Livestock Voice (ELV); Paolo Zanetti, president, European Dairy Association (EDA); and Marcello Veronesi ASSALZOO and FEFAC board member will join the first panel discussion to explore the opportunities for the value chain partners to contribute to implementation of the new long term strategy of the EU livestock and aquaculture sectors.

For the second panel, FEFAC will focus on current global trade escalation affecting European feed grain and livestock markets. Ted Swinkel, president of COCERAL, will provide the EU grain and feed trade perspective on challenges and opportunities in international grain and oilseeds markets. Jim Sutter, chief executive officer of USSEC, will share the global market outlook from an US soy exporter perspective.

Gustavo Idigoras, president, CIARA-CEC (Argentinian Soy Exporters); Ricardo Arioli, president, CNA/SENAR (Brazilian Soy Producers); and Pedro Corder, president, FEFAC, will join the second panel to discuss the outlook on the transatlantic green feed trade while examining the impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and EU FTAs, reflecting on current tariff escalation with the United States and China.

During the event, the two high-level international experts panel sessions will be moderated by Andrea Bertaglio, environmental journalist, and Anton van den Brink, FEFAC deputy secretary general.

“Twenty-twenty five will be a year of great significance for ASSALZOO as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of our founding,” said Silvio Ferrari, president of ASSALZOO. “This milestone will be further marked by the FEFAC Assembly, taking place in Rome during the Jubilee year. It will be a unique opportunity to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among key stakeholders in the sector at the European level. Through this event, we reaffirm our commitment to a feed industry that is increasingly sustainable, innovative, and ready to face global challenges with determination.”

FEFAC President Pedro Cordero said the sector remains committed to advancing the goals set out in the FEFAC Sustainability Charter 2030.

“In the face of geopolitical uncertainties and pressures on free trade, maintaining a forward-thinking approach is crucial,” he said. “By seizing opportunities for sustainable trade and leveraging the investments of compound feed manufacturers in cutting-edge animal nutrition solutions, the sector can strengthen both the resilience and competitiveness of EU livestock and aquaculture industries.”