A Technology Innovation Stewardship Policy for the U.S. Red Meat Industry

Resolution #2013-11-1

SUBMITTED BY:	Exporter Committee

DATE:	Nov. 7, 2013; amended May 23, 2014

TITLE:	A Technology Innovation Stewardship Policy for the U.S. Red Meat Industry

WHEREAS,	The U.S. red meat industry relies on a stream of new production and processing technologies to maintain its competitive position in global markets, and

WHEREAS,	Many of these technologies undergo extensive scientific review, both domestically and globally, to ensure that they are safe and efficacious, and

WHEREAS,	Some technologies that are widely used in the U.S. red meat industry have contributed to disruptions in U.S. exports because they have not been approved and/or accepted in important export markets which apply differing political or scientific standards, and

WHEREAS,	Similar outcomes must be minimized in the future by involving all industry stakeholders in a coordinated approach to introducing future technologies into the U.S. and global markets;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,	That the U.S. Meat Export Federation supports the implementation of a technology innovation stewardship process for the U.S. red meat industry that will include the broadest possible participation by industry stakeholders who will work collectively to a) support the introduction of new technologies, b) minimize disruptions in red meat exports, and c) bolster confidence in the safety of new technologies.

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,	That the U.S. Meat Export Federation supports the creation of a Meat Industry International Stewardship Advisory Council which will, as permitted by law and respecting companies’ corporate governance policies, facilitate the implementation of the red meat industry’s technology innovation stewardship process by working collaboratively with industry stakeholders and the U.S. and foreign governments to: Work collaboratively in key export countries and with global standard-setting bodies (e.g. CODEX, OIE) to maximize global market access through standard recognition or establishment. Maintain a list of new production and processing technologies that are in the late stages of the U.S. regulatory review process. Estimate the comprehensive impact for the U.S. red meat industry of adopting these technologies based on an analysis of markets. Develop and launch coordinated stewardship strategies before technologies which have the potential to contribute to disruptions in red meat exports are introduced into the U.S. market. These strategies will seek to a) secure product approvals or the adoption of import MRLs in priority export markets that have functioning regulatory systems, b) maintain access to priority markets that do not have functioning regulatory systems, and c) build confidence in U.S. red meat. Develop and implement a strategy for establishing a science-based international standard in cases where having an international standard for a new technology would facilitate exports and increase global receptivity to the technology. Involve stakeholders in the stewardship process.