Last month’s United Nations Conference of the Parties, or COP30, was attended by an estimated 50,000 people from around the globe. Maddie Hokanson, a seventh-generation Minnesota pig farmer, participated in several panels. With representation from industry sectors such as agriculture, energy, transportation, and non-governmental organizations, U.S. pork ensured producers had a seat at the table to share their We Care® commitment. Jamie Burr, chief sustainability officer for the National Pork Board, talked about her participation
“Farmers get up every day to protect their family, protect resources, produce a safe, abundant supply of food, and being able to have a producer share her individual life and family story of progress, of continuous improvement, was just invaluable, because she can bring more of that emotional piece versus the data-science piece to the story.”
Events like COP30 convene experts to strategically identify and address key issues that could threaten producers’ freedom to operate. For Burr, it created space to listen and learn from peers around the world, while also providing an important opportunity to share the U.S. pork industry’s commitment to progress.
“You know, I have not visited with a single farmer ever that has not said, you know, we just need to do a better job of sharing our story. I couldn’t agree more with that, but we have to share that story with data, with true facts. Our detractors have their own data.”
673 million people are undernourished, meaning they are not getting enough to eat. That’s a compelling reminder of the role animal-based protein can play in delivering essential nutrition. By staying attuned to anti-meat strategies and shifting global perspectives, the industry can deliver clear and transparent messaging that demonstrates its ongoing stewardship. Visit porkcheckoff.org for a written note from Jamie about COP30.