IFB Study Tour to Address Animal Care Issues in Europe

The objective of the tour is to expose Illinois farmer leaders first-hand to the consumer, retail, legislative, and other stakeholders who affected change on EU livestock production methods. 

The tour, tentatively scheduled June 23 through July 2, will include only 10 at-large farmers this year. It will include visits in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Denmark. 

Selected farmers must show active involvement in livestock production and marketing and be well versed on animal care issues related to their production.

Tour participants also must meet certain criteria, including:

• Be a voting member.
• Be able to fund approximately one-third of the total tour cost ($1,500 to $2,000).
• Give presentations about the trip after its conclusion and media interviews before and after the trip.

In addition, for this study tour, participants also will be expected to provide active leadership (visiting legislators, food companies, consumer groups) on animal care issues.

Illinois Farm Bureau is accpeting applications until the end of the day Friday, March 15.