As a result of changing market conditions, in 2008 the Europe Meat Access Committee was renamed from the Consortium For Free Choice in Trade (CFFCT). This Consortium was originally established in 2000 to support the red meat industry in Europe in its quest for a more flexible meat import regime.

The role of the Europe Meat Access Committee (EMAC) is to provide a forum whereby the red meat industry and consumers can support trade access negotiations at both the national government and multilateral level.

Europe Meat Access Committee has no formal or legal standing and is a loose coalition of like minded companies seeking a better deal on market access into the European Union. A Chairperson's role is filled by a member volunteer, with support provided by a secretariat.

The Committee had its beginnings in the United Kingdom with the founding members involving meat importers, wholesalers and catering butchers, with strong support from two major shipping lines and the International Meat Trade Association of the UK.

Today membership is spread across most of the EU-27 member states and has some 100 members covering importers, wholesalers, processors, food service operators and retailers.

EMAC was modelled on a successful programme implemented in the USA during the early 1990's when US beef importers, processors and endusers joined together to lobby officials for greater access to imported product. This coalition referred to as the "Partners for Fair Trade" signalled to the US administration and government that being solely reliant on domestic beef production and limiting access for beef imports was stifling jobs and restricting consumer choice. The effort culminated in significant outcomes for the sector in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, with the repeal of the outdated Meat Import Law and the expansion of imported beef access.