OUR COMMITMENT: A Long Term View

A sustainable meat industry is one that takes a long term view of a business' impact on natural resources, animal welfare, employees, consumers and the communities in which we work and live. The meat industry is proud of its efforts to be responsible corporate citizens working to sustain our industry's bright future in feeding our nation and the world.

GETTING STARTED: Sustainability Inventory

When many companies embark on sustainability initiatives, they are often surprised to learn how many activities they are already engaged in that fall under the broad definition of sustainability.

American Meat Institute's Sustainability Inventory helps companies determine: 1) what they are already doing in the various areas of sustainability; 2) what they might do in this area and 3) what practices simply are not feasible in their operations and communities.

Each question includes links for further information to assist companies that want further information about potential programs and practices underway within the meat and poultry industry.

To launch the inventory, click here.

RESULTS: Benchmarking Ourselves

In 2009, AMI launched the sustainability initiative.  A key component of the initiative us an assessment of what sustainability practices are in place in the industry today.  By benchmarking our efforts, we can measure progress in the future.  A web-based sustainability survey was generated to gather information as it relates to the meat and poultry industries.  But, as we begin this data-collection effort, it is important to understand that the term “sustainability” has changed in recent years.  Although once it referred only to the environment, today, it is broader and includes efforts to sustain not just the environment, but people and communities, as well.

The AMI survey requested specific data on a variety of topics including water and energy use, recycling, worker safety statistics, food safety, animal welfare practices, and community outreach.  AMI has compiled the data to calculate an industry average, which can serve as a sustainability “benchmark” in 2009.  When the survey is repeated in the future, this year’s information will enable the industry to measure how the industry has changed over time and note progress in the various subject areas.

Click here to view the final results!