Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 3/24/14

The board of directors of the North American Meat Association voted on Saturday here to approve an agreement and plan of merger with American Meat Institute, effective Jan. 1, 2015.

AMI’s board is scheduled to vote on the proposal at a meeting in April.

“The NAMA Board feels strongly that the members will be best served by this merger. We’re excited to have this opportunity to form a new industry organization,” said NAMA Co-President Tony Gahn, Jr.
AMI and NAMA initiated discussions about a possible merger in September of last year. Since that time, a committee composed of members from each association has explored how a new organization can best serve its members.

“The time has come for the industry to speak with one voice,” said NAMA Co-President Mike Hesse.
The benefit of having one major organization representing the industry’s interests in Washington, D.C., was touched on earlier in the day by Rep. Jim Costa (D–Calif.)

Most legislators don’t come from agricultural backgrounds, he noted. “When there’s a host of ag organizations that come to the door, it’s confusing. They don’t know if you’re speaking with one voice. I’m congratulating you in advance on this effort with the AMI.”

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