IGW 2020 is all about sustainability and resource conservation
The 85th International Green Week (IGW) has once again opened its doors in Berlin. This year, the traditional trade fair’s name is particularly apt, considering that the current challenges of both the agriculture and the food production industry worldwide involve the various issues related to ‘going green’, in other words, sustainable production that takes animals, humans and the environment into consideration, the responsible use of resources and global food security. And the more than 1,800 exhibitors from 72 countries all address these issues one way or another.
In addition to the exhibitors and special exhibitions, excellent specialist events also serve to set the industry’s agenda. Indeed, more than 2,000 business, science and policy experts attended the 12th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, the world’s most significant agro-political conference on ‘Food for All! Trade for Secure, Diverse and Sustainable Nutrition.’, which coincided with the first few days of the trade fair.
It is particularly large events such as the IGW, where business meets politics and the industry meets consumers, that constitute major opportunities for invaluable debate. The Dr. Eckel team attending the IGW is also fully committed to this year’s theme. After all, the company has been working towards improving animal welfare for years. In fact, it has incorporated three of the FAO’s sustainability goals—Goal 2: Zero hunger; Goal 3: Good health and well-being; and Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production—into its corporate strategy.
If we want to achieve both responsible and profitable animal production, we must change the underlying conditions in such a way that animal health and welfare can be improved. We must promote and communicate improvements to animal welfare so that consumers and customers know what they are getting for their money and are prepared to pay the price. This is what Dr. Eckel is working towards with its product solutions and the Animal Welfare Initiative launched in 2016, which provides feed manufacturers and livestock farmers with information on how to improve animal welfare, starting with feeding.
Expert and lay visitors can explore the exhibitors’ huge range of products and services until 26 January. A total of around 400,000 visitors are expected this year.