Mr. Bouari Opens the 20th Edition of the International Poultry Council Conference…
The 20th edition of the International Poultry Council (IPC) Conference officially kicked off today, Tuesday, April 8, in Casablanca, the economic capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, Mr. Ahmed Bouari.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Bouari emphasized that hosting this conference for the first time in Morocco reflects the Kingdom’s growing prominence in the poultry sector and the significant growth opportunities across the African continent.
The Minister praised the pivotal role played by the International Poultry Council as a global platform for the exchange of expertise, the development of standards, and the promotion of poultry trade.
He also highlighted the importance of the poultry sector as a fundamental pillar of food security, economic development, and job creation, underscoring Morocco’s ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability and quality of poultry products.
In this context, Mr. Bouari outlined the substantial growth witnessed in Morocco’s poultry sector, thanks to strong public-private partnerships. He also pointed out the current challenges facing the industry, including market fluctuations, health crises, and the pressing need to promote sustainable development.
The Minister stressed the importance of this event in strengthening international cooperation and exchanging best practices, highlighting Morocco’s role as a gateway to Africa, particularly through its presidency of the Confederation of African Poultry Development Organizations. He reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to achieving food self-sufficiency and boosting local production across the continent.
Calling for the adoption of innovation, the reinforcement of training programs, and the promotion of South-South cooperation as key pillars for the future of the poultry sector, Mr. Bouari reaffirmed Morocco’s full support for this dynamic movement.
For his part, IPC President Ricardo Santin shed light on the growth prospects of the global poultry industry, noting that poultry is projected to become the most consumed animal protein worldwide by 2025, with an expected production of 104 million tons.
“Poultry is not only the most affordable protein for consumers but also the most sustainable,” said Santin, underlining the sector’s central role in addressing global food security challenges.
“Our shared goal is to produce food and provide essential nutrients to the people of our countries, while also assisting others. This is our responsibility in the face of global food challenges,” he added.
The conference, which runs until April 10 and is organized in partnership with the Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of the Poultry Sector (FISA), brings together key global players in the poultry industry, government officials, executives, leaders of major international companies, and experts, as well as representatives of FISA.
The program of the 20th IPC Conference includes plenary sessions, presentations, and technical workshops led by prominent international experts. It also features field visits to local poultry production facilities to showcase the latest innovations and technologies adopted in Morocco. Additionally, the conference provides valuable opportunities for networking and partnership building among various stakeholders in the sector.
The International Poultry Council (IPC) represents over 88% of global poultry meat production and 95% of international trade in this sector. It plays a key role in promoting sustainable solutions based on scientific research, aimed at improving production systems, ensuring food security, and fostering dialogue between producers and regulatory bodies.
The IPC is also a strategic partner of several international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
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