I’ve written a few times previously about the UN Food Systems Summit (FSS) to be held in September alongside the General Assembly in New York. The Summit has been convened by the UN’s Secretary-General as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It promises to “launch bold new actions” and “transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.”

The Alliance and many other organizations within U.S. agriculture have been following developments related to the FSS since late last year, seeking opportunities to communicate the value of livestock and animal agriculture to a healthy planet, and balanced, sustainable, nutritious diets, and secure livelihoods for people around the world. Last week, the Pre-Summit leading up to the main event was held in Rome and virtually. The Pre-Summit was described as “assembling the ingredients” and “baking the cake” of FSS outcomes, and the cake will be “iced” at the full Summit event in September.

I was able to listen in on many of the Pre-Summit events, statements from Member States and affiliated sessions and have some key takeaways for animal agriculture. Some of these concepts are pretty concerning while others offer opportunities for the future.

FSS organizers are really pushing the “true cost of food” concept, stating that if we account for negative externalities (environmental impacts, unhealthy diet), food costs us three times more than we currently pay for it.
Good amount of support for innovation and adoption of new technology from Member States
A lot of positive content around farmers being solutions, not problems and needing to include them in this process
Negativity about animal protein consumption continued, along with negativity toward modern, “industrial” agriculture
A “Coalition of Action” has been launched by Member States around Sustainable Livestock, but it has apparently been combined with the coalition around Agroecology
The EU Farm to Fork Strategy was pushed several times as a “model”
Major focus on hunger and food security from many, particularly Member States, including noting how COVID-19 has exacerbated this issue

There were positive messages represented about animal agriculture during several affiliated sessions, including one hosted by the International Meat Secretariat featuring Carlos Cherniak, Ambassador of Argentina; Lloyd Day, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture; Shirley Tarawali, Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock; and Peter Vadas, USDA. This discussion focused on the unmatched nutritional value delivered by animal protein along with efforts being undertaken to continuously improve the environmental footprint of animal agriculture.

With the full FSS coming up next month, it is more important than ever that animal agriculture and the meat community are at the table. As an easy step, join the conversation online and share your sustainability story using #FoodSystems and #FSS2021.

UN Food Systems Summit pre-event a mixed bag for U.S. animal ag

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