The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) sponsored a three-day symposium in Washington, D.C., June 2010, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Thirty-two presenters, speaking individually or as panelists, addressed the topic of Sustaining Animal Agriculture: Balancing Bioethical, Economic, and Social Issues. Approximately 250 people from a wide variety of organizations attended the symposium, which was held in the Jefferson Auditorium at the USDA's South Building. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with presenters during several Q&A sessions throughout the meeting. Critical issues addressed during the symposium included bioethical and animal welfare issues; analysis of certification and regulatory programs; integration of competing concepts surrounding the ethical use of food animals; long-term survival and food security; societal and global impacts; and consequences of decisions by consumer and government decision makers.