And there isn’t a better place to discuss the future
of meat than in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
E nĂŁo tem lugar melhor para discutir o futuro
da carne do que em Mato Grosso - Brasil.
Confirmed Speakers
October 27
Rupert Claxton
Meat and Livestock Director
GIRA
Rupert has worked as a strategy consultant in the food sector since 2003, with a high level of specialization in global meat and livestock markets.
Richard Brown
Meat and Livestock Director
GIRA
Specialist in global meat and livestock market analysis, focusing on consumption trends and international trade.
October 28
Dr. Juan José Grigera Naón
President
IMS
President of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS ). Has extensive experience in global policies for the animal protein sector and in developing international markets for the industry. Leads initiatives to promote sustainable practices and improve the image of meat on the world stage.
Dr. Phil Hadley
Secretary General
IMS
Secretary General of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS). With extensive experience in the sector, he coordinates international efforts and initiatives within the global meat industry.
Caio Penido
President
IMAC
President of the Mato Grosso Meat Institute (IMAC). Works on sustainable development of Brazilian livestock and promotion of national meat in international markets.
Mauro Mendes
Governor
Mato Grosso (TBC)
Governor of Mato Grosso state, one of Brazil's main agricultural hubs. His administration focuses on sustainable development and strengthening the agricultural sector in the region.
John Masswohl
Vice-President of IMS
Canadian Cattle Association
Vice-President of IMS and representative of the Canadian Cattle Association. Expert in trade policies and international market development for the meat sector. Has extensive experience in trade negotiations and works to expand access for Canadian products to global markets.
Kent Bacus
Executive Director, Government Affairs
NCBA
Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA ). Works with public policies and government relations for the beef sector, representing industry interests with the US government and in international trade negotiations.
John Clarke
Former Director of International Affairs Commission
European Union
Former Director of the European Union's International Affairs Commission. Expert in trade policies and international regulations for the agricultural and food sector. Has extensive experience in multilateral trade negotiations and in formulating European agricultural policies.
Chen Wei
Vice-president of IMS
China Meat Association
President of the China Meat Association (CMA) and Vice President of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS). He also serves as the Deputy Secretary General of the China National Slaughter and Processing Standardization Technical Committee, among other positions. In 2020, he was awarded the Order of Chevalier for Achievements in Agriculture of the French Republic.
Rupert Claxton
Meat and Livestock Director
GIRA
Rupert has worked as a strategy consultant in the food sector since 2003, with a high level of specialization in global meat and livestock markets. He analyzes the evolving nature of international meat demand and the supply systems that provide it, working with key actors along the chain, from feed ingredients and genetics, through slaughtering, international trade, and eventually with consumer brands.
Thanawat Tiensin
Assistant Director-General
FAO
Appointed Assistant Director-General of FAO in August 2024, Chief Veterinarian in February 2024, and Director of Animal Production and Health Division in August 2022. From 2018-2022, he served as Minister (Agriculture ) and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the UN Agencies in Rome. He chaired the Committee on World Food Security (CSF) and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), and held various positions in FAO committees.
Knud Buhl
CEO
Danish Bacon & Meat Council
Knud Buhl is a seasoned leader specializing in international trade, policy advocacy, and global market development. As CEO of the Danish Bacon & Meat Council, he focuses on driving business growth through navigating complex trade dynamics, building strategic partnerships, and advocating for improved global market access.
Prof. Michael Lee
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Harper Adams University
Expert in sustainable livestock systems, defining their role in securing global food security while protecting environmental health. Deputy Vice Chancellor of Harper Adams University since 2020. Published over 375 research articles, including in Nature and Science. Awarded the Sir John Hammond Memorial Prize in 2015 and fellowships of the Royal Societies of Arts and Biology. Served as President of the British Society of Animal Science (2018-2022 ) and represents the UK on Animal Task Force, advising the EU parliament.
Eric Mittenthal
Chief Strategy Officer
Meat Institute, US
Eric Mittenthal is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Meat Institute, previously serving as the organization's vice president of public affairs and vice president of sustainability. He leads the Meat Institute's Protein PACT strategy focused on implementing a framework for continuous improvement throughout the industry and a commitment to greater transparency to meet consumer and customer expectations.
October 29
Trine Thorkildsen
Head of Nutrition, Sustainability and Animal Welfare
MatPrat (Norway)
Trine Thorkildsen is Head of Nutrition and Sustainability at MatPrat – the Norwegian Egg and Meat Council. She leads initiatives to promote the nutritional value and sustainability of animal-based foods, working with industry stakeholders to develop evidence-based strategies for public health and sustainable food systems.
Trine also chairs the IMS Human Nutrition and Health Committee and is a member of its Executive Council.
Prof. Frederic Leroy
Professor Dr. Ir.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Graduated as a Bioengineer (Ghent University, 1998) and obtained a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, 2002), where he now holds a professorship in food science and (bio)technology. His research deals with animal-sourced foods, food processing, human nutrition, and interdisciplinary 'food studies'. He is one of the initiators of the 2022 Dublin Declaration of the Societal Role of Livestock.
Dr. Andrew Mente
Professor
McMaster University
Dr. Mente received his doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. He completed post-doctoral training in cardiovascular epidemiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and is currently a Professor at the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University.
Dr. Carrie Ruxton
Nutrition Communicator
Quality Meat Scotland
Dr Carrie Ruxton is a UK-based dietitian and board member of Quality Meat Scotland. After qualifying from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Carrie worked in academia and the food industry before founding a B2B consultancy, Nutrition Communications. She specializes in assessing and translating nutrition and health science for a broad range of audiences.
Olivia Midgley
Editorial Director
Farmers Guardian
Olivia Midgley is a journalist and editor with 18+ years’ experience in publishing across print and digital media. As editorial director of Farmers Guardian, she leads the brand’s digital transformation and sets the tone and vision of its content. Since becoming editor in 2023, she has introduced a new digital strategy and redesigned print edition.
Named “New Editor of the Year” by the British Society of Magazine Editors in 2024, Olivia is also a regular media commentator on farming-related topics. She is a director and deputy chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and a mentor with the Creative Mentor Network, supporting inclusivity in creative industries.
Dr. Delair Bolis
Managing Director, AVP
MSD
Dr. Delair Bolis is president of MSD Animal Health in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia. Currently, he is also president of the National Union of the Animal Health Products Industry (Sindan) and director of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp). At MSD Animal Health, the executive has been with the company for over 20 years and has held various leadership positions throughout his career.
Dr. Francisco D'Alessio
Regional Representative for the Americas
WOAH
Dr. Francisco D'Alessio is the WOAH Regional Representative for the Americas, a position he has held since January 2025. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he earned his Veterinary degree and a postgraduate specialization from the University of Buenos Aires. Before taking on his current role, he was Deputy Head of the WOAH Standards Department, contributing to the development and implementation of international standards.
Dr. Andrea Gavinelli
Head of Unit SANTE G3: Animal Welfare
EU Commission
Andrea is a veterinarian and policy official with a career spanning over two decades at the European Commission. He graduated from the University of Milan with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and has been with the European Commission since February 1999. Currently, Andrea leads the Unit responsible for shaping and implementing Animal Welfare policies within DG Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
Brayan Montoya-Torres
IMS Science Award Winner
Texas Tech University
The winner of the IMS Award for Young Talents was Brayan Montoya-Torres, a Ph.D. candidate in Food Safety/Food Microbiology from the International Center for Food Industry Excellence (ICFIE), Animal and Food Sciences Department, Texas Tech University, with the poster "Microbiome of Healthy Beef Cattle Lymph Nodes and Digesta Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Analysis".
Anne-Marie Roerink
President
210 Analytics
Anne-Marie Roerink is the president of 210 Analytics, a research firm specialized in food retailing. Working closely with manufacturers, retailers and trade associations, Anne-Marie has developed an excellent perspective on the wants and needs of the meat and poultry consumer in an ever-changing world.
Tom Rees
Industry Manager
Euromonitor International
Tom is an Industry Manager at Euromonitor International with a focus on food and nutrition. Based in London, he has more than 19 years of experience in research. He provides global expertise, forward-thinking insights, and is the author of publications including The Future of Meat and Away From Animals.
Dr. David Newman
Senior VP Market Growth
National Pork Board
Dr. David Newman oversees domestic and international market development, business intelligence, and human nutrition at the National Pork Board. He holds a Ph.D. in meat science and has experience in production, academia, and consulting in the swine industry
Dr. David Hughes
Emeritus Professor
Imperial College London
Dr. Hughes is a global expert in agri-food trends, having worked in multiple continents and industries. He served in advisory boards like Rabobank UK and was co-founder of a fresh food company in the USA. His insights are highly sought after by media and corporations.
OFFICIAL EVENT LAUNCH
June 3, 2025 – Cuiabá - MT
Developed by Ad Pro – Marketing & Automations