The campaign was launched in April to underline the multiple benefits of the EU livestock sector and meat for growth & jobs, vibrant rural areas, a balanced diet and to show the high production standards EU farmers meet.
Opening the event, Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said “We want to show the public the nutritious benefits of eating meat and promote the new innovative easy to cook receipes that are being developed. We also want to show positive images of the high production standards farmers and their cooperatives meet and show to the public what farmers are doing to tackle upcoming challenges like anti-microbial resistance”
New easy to cook receipes were presented at the event which was attended by over 200 people with tasty products from top chefs showcased. Great rabbit stew from Spain was offered by the Spanish Cooperative Group Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias and Intercun who underlined the importance of rabbit as one of the most deep-rooted products in Spanish gastronomy. But despite its nutritional benefits, consumption has fallen by half in the last two years partly due to a lack of innovative products and changes in lifestyl
The Irish Farmers Association IFA and Bord Bia presented premium Rib Eye Steak from specialist beef herds and presented new easy to cook recipes. Liam MacHale underlined the benefits of including beef as part of a balanced diet and emphasized the origin of Irish grass fed animals farmed on traditional family farms in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Finnish farm organisation (MTK) presented an innovative product by Atria ltd which is mainly owned by three cooperatives Itikka Osuuskunta, Lihakunta and Österbottens Kött. There were five different types of premium charcuterie cold cuts of beef and ham presented which have a strong focus on traceability and also new innovative packaging to enable to be re-opened without ruining the flavour.
Speaking at the event, MEP Michel Dantin strongly supported Copa & Cogeca #livestockcounts campaign to promote the sector and its social and economic role for our citizens and EU regions, saying its a much needed move. During this crisis time, he underlined that Parliament is continuing to support farmers and is preparing for the future. As former rapporteur for Parliament on the recent CAP reform as well as on EU breeding and zootechnical rules to make the sector more structured and competitive on non-EU markets, Mr Dantin is chairing the European Parliaments Peoples Party (EPP) ad hoc group on the future of the CAP.
Deputy Director-General for the EU Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development Joost Korte also strongly supported the campaign saying with farmers managing 40% of the EU territory, agriculture and the CAP are strategically important for the EU.
Events & actions will take place every month throughout 2016 & 17 across Europe.There will be press events, farm visits, a cookery brochure and videos presenting new easy to cook recipes from across Europe, hosted twitter debates, leaflets and videos showing what farmers and their cooperatives are doing to meet high production standards.
