High quality, innovative meat products and new easy to cook recipes were presented at a major event organized by EU farming co-operative Copa & Cogeca.
The campaign was launched in April to underline the multiple benefits of the EU livestock sector and meat for growth & jobs, vibrant rural areas, a balanced diet and to show the high production standards EU farmers meet.
Opening the event, Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen said: "We want to show the public the nutritious benefits of eating meat and promote new innovative easy to cook recipes that are being developed.
"We also want to show positive images of the high production standards farmers and their cooperatives meet and show to the public what farmers are doing to tackle upcoming challenges like anti-microbial resistance."
New easy to cook recipes were presented at the event which was attended by over 200 people with tasty products from top chefs showcased.
Great rabbit stew from Spain was offered by Spanish Cooperative Groups who underlined the importance of rabbit as one of the most deep-rooted products in Spanish gastronomy.
But despite its nutritional benefits, consumption has fallen by half in the last two years partly due to a lack of innovative products and changes in lifestyle.
The Irish Farmers Association IFA presented premium Rib Eye Steak from specialist beef herds and presented new easy to cook recipes.
Liam MacHale underlined the benefits of including beef as part of a balanced diet and emphasized the origin of Irish grass fed animals farmed on traditional family farms in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The Finnish farm organisation (MTK) presented five different types of premium charcuterie cold cuts of beef and ham, which have a strong focus on traceability and also new innovative packaging to enable to be re-opened without ruining the flavour.
'A much needed move'
Speaking at the event, MEP Michel Dantin strongly supported Copa & Cogeca '#livestockcounts' campaign to promote the sector and its social and economic role for EU regions, saying it's a much needed move.
During this crisis time, he underlined that the European Parliament is continuing to support farmers and is preparing for the future.
As former rapporteur for Parliament on the recent CAP reform as well as on EU breeding technical rules to make the sector more structured and competitive on non-EU markets.
Deputy Director for the EU Commission's Agricultural Development Joost Kortealso strongly supported the campaign saying with farmers managing 40% of the EU territory, agriculture and the CAP are strategically important for the EU.
