The standard factors influencing the meat Outlook, including exchange rate movements, the rates of income and population growth, remain key to the evolution of the markets for meat. However, many other factors condition how markets will evolve, both internationally and at national levels. Meat markets will remain heavily affected by the incidence of animal disease outbreaks, associated increasing standards for meat safety and for animal welfare. Environmental standards will also play an increasing role in the future. Other factors include new policy initiatives by governments, the recent impact of the Australian drought, renewed competition from North American exports in the Pacific meat market, changes in disease-related trade barriers and the impact of renewable energy (bioethanol and bio-diesel) production on feed prices. Taken together, these meat trade and price shocks will increase the complexity of trade patterns, with additional countries importing and exporting meat, as events unfold.