The health and welfare of animals is a key concern of the meat and poultry industry. Healthy animals whose welfare is carefully respected result in safe, wholesome, high quality meat and poultry products. Federal laws govern animal health and humane treatment of animals.

The meat industry is the largest sector of agriculture and agriculture is the largest sector of the U.S. economy. Many economic factors contribute to business success. Here you'll learn about price and export reporting issues, structural changes in the meat and poultry industry, view charts showing trends in sales, production, consumption and exporting and learn about many other factors that impact the U.S. and international market for meat and poultry.

The members of the U.S. meat and poultry industry are committed to being good stewards of the environment in which they operate. In addition to striving for full compliance with a host of federal, state and local environmental regulations, the industry embraces a comprehensive set of environmental best practices.

Food safety is the number one priority of the U.S. meat and poultry industry. The Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 and the many regulations, notices and directives that it has generated ensure that the meat and poultry industry is among the most regulated industries in the nation.

Nutrition and health are of great importance to consumers and to the meat industry. The information provided here relates to nutrition and health policies, regulations, science and other matters associated with meat and poultry products.

International trade is an increasingly important component to the success and long-term viability of our members involved in exporting and importing beef, pork, lamb and turkey products. NAMI is committed to reducing and eliminating barriers to trade in meat and poultry products.

Nearly 500,000 people work in the U.S. meat & poultry industry. Our industry has long been a starting point for new Americans. In the early 20th century in the U.S., many foreign born workers hailed from Europe. Today, U.S. companies employ people born many other countries and continents, including Africa, Asia, Mexico and Central South America.