The EPP Congress 2024 which was held 29-31 May 2024 in Nantes, shows that engaging consumers effectively requires a multi-pronged approach. Pig Producers are part of the food chain and have to deal with many factors, such as:

• Transparency   
• Sustainability  
• Traceability      
• Quality & Innovation   

Many interesting topics, but at the end pork needs to be tasteful, available and not too expensive for the consumer.

Farmers can provide this when production is economically sustainable as well. This means if a consumer / foodchain pays for their requirements, we produce it the way they want.

Besides what most consumers still think it is obvious that there is food in their stores, we have more and more to deal with food security - even in Europe!

This means the ability of all people to access sufficient, safe and nutritious food still remains a central concern.

Our world faces a growing population, coupled with the ever-present threat of climate change and resource scarcity.

The question “How to engage the Consumer” was answered during the Congress in different ways and from different perspectives. Farmers should keep a direct link to consumers and should use social networks to engage especially the younger generation in the cities which never had a direct contact to farms. Production without considering the needs & wants of consumers will lead into a dead end. Of course, EU regulations should also consider the needs & wants of farmers. Sustainability means also that running a farm has to be economically as well. Only in that case farmers are willing and able to improve production and to invest in innovative technology.
 

Gert van Beek
Pig Farmer in the Netherlands
President of the European Pig Producers (EPP) e.V.