Resolution #2013-5-1

SUBMITTED BY:	Exporter Committee
DATE:	May 24, 2013
TITLE:	Technology Innovation Stewardship Policy
WHEREAS,	The U.S. red meat industry relies on the development and adoption of safe and efficacious new technologies to remain competitive in the global market; and
WHEREAS,	Some of the industry’s largest export markets have not approved these technologies, resulting in asynchronous approvals and associated disruptions in U.S. red meat exports; and
WHEREAS,	Similar circumstances stemming from the approval and adoption of new plant biotechnology varieties in the United States also have resulted in the disruption of exports of U.S.-grown grains and oilseeds; and
WHEREAS,	In order to minimize the impact on exports as new biotechnology varieties are approved in the United States, the U.S. plant biotechnology industry has implemented a product launch stewardship policy,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,	That USMEF will work closely with technology providers to the red meat industry, as well as producers and processors, to explore options for developing and implementing a technology innovation stewardship policy for the industry which ensures close coordination and communication among all members of the value chain in conducting market and trade assessments of new technology products before these products are introduced into the U.S. market.