Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 11/14/11

The North American Meat Processors Association this week took a big step toward creating a new trade association with the National Meat Association.

The NAMP board announced it approved forming the new association on two conditions: the approval of NAMP’s members, and board approval of the legal documents for the new association.

NAMP will immediately work to inform its members about the proposed new association and intends to hold the membership vote “as soon as reasonably possible” after members have had time to consider the information.

“We’re excited about the possibility of bringing added service to NAMP members, and about the possibility of combining NAMP’s strengths with those of NMA to form an outstanding new association,” said NAMP President Jeff Saval of Deli Brands of America.

The NMA board approved the merger in August, but in September NAMP’s board postponed voting on the plan.

This week’s move brought the two groups one step closer to becoming a bigger, more powerful organization with a more diverse membership. Currently, NAMP has about 300 processor members and NMA has about 400.

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