Pet Food Processing - September 2024 - 59

ASSOCIATIONS
AMERICAN FEED
INDUSTRYassociation
Representing its membership, including pet food and feed
manufacturers, by managing legislative and regulatory issues.
T
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has
been navigating economic challenges, regulatory obstacles
and trade opportunities since it was founded in
1909. AFIA's ongoing mission has been to manage legislative
and regulatory priorities on behalf of its membership,
which consists of more than 650 domestic and
international companies, including pet food and feed
manufacturers, ingredient and equipment suppliers,
and related industry businesses. The association's priorities
are emphasized through its ongoing advocacy
for animal health and wellness, trade, industry sustainability,
food and employee safety, education, research
and engagement.
According to the AFIA, there are more than 5,800
animal food manufacturing facilities in the United States
producing more than 284 million tons of finished feed
and pet food each year. More than $6.8 billion worth of
farm products are sold to pet food manufacturers each
year, which in turn produce 9.8 million tons of pet food.
And more than 75% of US animal feed and roughly 70%
of non-whole grain ingredients in the country are manufactured
by its members.
The association and its membership work to foster
relationships with decision makers throughout allied
agricultural organizations resulting in an amplified industry
voice on Capitol Hill. The AFIA works with its
members and committees to solicit input and develop
the association's positions on key policy issues. The staff
then brings forward the recommendations to the AFIA
leadership for review and approval and the AFIA Board
of Directors ultimately approves the priorities, providing
the association with its strategic focus for the year.
The association's annual State of the US Animal
Food Industry Report outlines the priorities for the
upcoming year.
" After experiencing several years of change at the
AFIA, it was time to conduct a stocktaking of the organization
and the industry it serves and develop a strategic
plan to tackle emerging challenges, " wrote Constance
Cullman, president and chief executive officer of AFIA in
the association's 2022-2023 report. " The result is a threeyear
strategy to strengthen the voice of the US animal
food industry as we work to carry out our new mission
of influencing policy and connecting people. In doing so,
the AFIA is uniquely positioned to advance our members'
interests as we move toward our vision of achieving a
healthier world through advanced animal nutrition. "
As part of its mission, AFIA makes four promises to
its membership. The association promises members to
be a voice in the animal food industry it serves. It also
promises to provide expert legislative and regulatory
leadership and representation. In addition, staff expertise
is available to all members, on demand. And AFIA
members are promised engagement opportunities for
training, professional education and networking.
Furthermore, Cullman wrote, " To be recognized as the
leading animal food industry association providing legislative,
regulatory and policy representation, the organization
will advocate for a more efficient and modern
regulatory review of animal food ingredients,
support the resiliency of the US
animal food industry through customer
and supplier market diversification,
and facilitate industrywide solutions
for a more sustainable animal food and
livestock production sector. "
www.petfoodprocessing.net | September 2024 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 59
CONTACT AFIA
2101 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 810
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 524-0810
afia@afia.org
www.afia.org
http://www.afia.org http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - September 2024

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