Ministers of Agriculture Address Demand for Animal-Based Foods

Ministers of Agriculture from across the Americas gathered to discuss the need to increase animal-based food production, prioritizing food security, nutritional value, and traceability at every stage of the production chain.

The event, held in Peru on Aug. 19–20, took place as part of the 45th Regular Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). On the first day of the meeting, representatives from member countries agreed that the production and consumption of nutrient-rich animal-based foods, such as meat, milk, and eggs, play a vital role in food systems across the Americas and globally.

Ángel Campos, Peru’s Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, highlighted IICA’s more than 80 years of commitment to rural development, regional integration, agricultural trade, and global food sustainability. “Since 1942, IICA has been the main institutional platform for agricultural collaboration among countries of the continent, and we have obtained concrete benefits from being a part of it,” says Campos.

Campos emphasized that Peru has been an agrarian country since its foundation, noting that one-third of the nation’s economically active population works in agriculture, making it a critical sector for the country. Similarly, agricultural activities in Mexico are among the main drivers of national economic growth. About 13% of Mexico’s employed population works in the primary sector. In 1Q22, the sector employed 6.5 million people, according to data from INEGI.

Campos also explained that the livestock sector in Latin America and the Caribbean needs to strengthen its path toward sustainability while increasing the value placed on the contributions of small-scale producers. He highlighted that livestock production is one of the backbones of the region’s economy, accounting for 50% of agricultural GDP and employing about 38 million workers.

Projections for 2050 indicate a sustained global increase in the demand for animal-based foods, presenting a significant opportunity for Latin America to strengthen its role in meeting this demand, says Campos. In this context, Manuel Otero, Director General, IICA, urged the countries of the Americas to build a shared strategy for the next 25 years. “In our agricultural sector, we must make the changes we choose — based on science and innovation — not those imposed on us from outside,” he said.

During the event, one of the main priorities discussed was providing producers with tools to meet the rising global demand for animal-based foods while simultaneously protecting natural resources. Participants agreed that innovation — whether through improved genetics, advances in animal nutrition, veterinary products, or digital technologies — must be science-based and adapted to local needs.

Ministers also underscored the central role of trade in ensuring food security and supporting economic growth. According to FAO, Latin America and the Caribbean play a key role in global food trade, accounting for 14% of global food production and 45% of net international agri-food trade. Additionally, the agri-food sector represents a significant share of the regional economy, generating up to half of all jobs and contributing between 30% and 40% of regional GDP.

The ministers further stressed that animal health should remain a priority on both political and technical agendas, as protecting it helps reduce poverty, safeguard public health, and preserve rural livelihoods. In this regard, the collaborative efforts between Mexico, the United States, and Central American countries to control the spread of the screwworm pest (GBG) in the past months have been notable.

According to official figures, Mexico has over 4,000 specialists dedicated to preserving national livestock production, of which 470 have actively participated in combating GBG. Their work includes handling notifications, conducting diagnostic activities in official and authorized laboratories, and carrying out inspections and treatments at federal and state verification points. These efforts have successfully limited GBG’s impact, as the worm has affected only 0.005% of Mexican livestock over the past nine months.

“Mexico’s zoosanitary status is the result of the commendable work of this professional sector, which also educates the public to strengthen prevention and control measures against pests and diseases that could impact food production,” said Julio Berdagué, Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture, during the celebration of Veterinary Zootechnician Day, which the Mexican government commemorates annually on Aug. 17.