The meat-processing industry is always rife with mergers and rumors of potential mergers, but one that could have a long-lasting industry impact took place not between two processors but rather two trade associations. Starting July 1, the North American Meat Processors Association and the National Meat Association will form the North American Meat Association. This merger of two venerable trade groups brings together more than 700 companies and two talented and experienced staffs.
The merger comes at a time when the meat industry has been under near-constant attack from various outside sources, including anti-meat activists, bloggers and the mainstream media. It can be argued that much of the damage the industry has suffered came because the industry did not defend itself from negative press until the damage had been done. Several of the new NAMA officers pointed to the need for a stronger, unified voice for the industry.