Poultry industry association representatives in 24 countries are members of the IPC, which was formed in 2005 as a cooperative forum for the world’s poultry-producing countries. The growing organization also boasts 32 associate members that include producers, primary breeders, pharmaceutical companies, equipment manufacturers, and global restaurant chains that benefit from a strong international poultry industry.

The IPC represents about 80 per cent of the world’s poultry production, and about 95 per cent of global trade in poultry meat.

IPC President, Jim Sumner, who is also president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), said: “As we approach our 10th year as an organisation, the Executive Committee made the decision that now is a good time to take a step back and evaluate where the IPC is currently, to look at how far we’ve come, and to determine how we should proceed into the next 10 years.”

Mr Sumner said the IPC retained a professional strategic planner – Mark Smith of Leadership Resource Institute. Mr Smith first surveyed the membership on issues that are relevant to the organisation, and then laid out a path for members attending the two-day Edinburgh strategy summit to follow during their discussions.

Members taking part in the summit represented all regions that comprise the IPC’s membership, Mr Sumner said. Out of their discussions will come a strategic plan for growth and sustainability for the organization.

He continued: “I think we set an ambitious course. Our goal is for the IPC to be a unified and credible voice for the global industry’s value chain as we work on common issues, interact with international organizations, and work to position poultry as the world’s preferred protein.”

Mr Sumner said the strategic plan will also focus on recruitment, as the organisation will continue to expand its membership base.

He added: “We’re interested in attracting the remaining poultry-producing countries as members, but we will also actively seek to bring in more associate members from throughout the entire poultry value chain.”

Prospective members are encouraged to contact IPC Secretary General George Watts at [email protected].