‘Supporting the welfare journey of the global poultry industry’

Why did you want to be chair?

I know that countries are at different stages of their welfare journey and as the first chair not from North America it is my job to bring those varied views and perspectives together for the benefit of all. The significance of welfare in the global poultry sector cannot be overstated, especially in today’s business landscape where it has become a pivotal concern for stakeholders across the food supply chain. The work is important, I believe in it, and there’s no such thing as a casual observer in this business. Being chair just seemed the natural thing to do.

What are your short and long-term priorities?

My immediate focus is on engaging with our members to understand their perspectives and priorities regarding welfare success. I believe that listening and learning from our members will be instrumental in shaping our short-term and long-term strategies. Building upon the foundation laid by my predecessors, my aim is to continue driving pre-competitive collaboration on welfare standards that work for businesses. The crucial element is that everything we do must be business-ready and take our industry a little further forward today than we were yesterday.

What is IPWA’s role in the global poultry sector at this time?

The IPWA continues to play a crucial role in helping develop and support the welfare journey of the global poultry industry. Food produced well and sustainably is a huge challenge across the world and we use welfare expertise to drive both. Our focus on key welfare indicators (KWIs), the recent release of online education modules and our partnership with the Center for the Optimization Of Poultry (COOP) underscores our commitment to promoting good practices and supporting the global poultry community with accurate information, robust science and people who are passionate about the subject.

What do you see as the IPWA’s greatest challenges over the next 2 years?

I foresee several challenges. On a day-to-day basis these may be the changing regulatory landscapes, emerging welfare concerns and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. However, the biggest strategic challenge is making good welfare a key contributor to feeding the world in an era of climate change. I am confident that with the dedication and expertise of our lean team of committed staff, coupled with the continued support of our members, we can meet these challenges and further strengthen IPWA’s position as the global voice in poultry welfare.

What are you most looking forward to as chair?

In anything I do, the most rewarding part is seeing people grow and succeed. As chair it’s my job to set the destination, then give them the means of travel. How far and how fast they go is then up to them, but you would be amazed at what a small team can do when you trust them to shape their own path. Their commitment to driving positive change in the industry is truly inspiring and I am eager to support and champion their efforts in the year ahead.