A study assessing the impact of traceability and animal identification programs on the international market for red meat points out that the United States and India are the only two major beef exporters that do not already have mandatory traceability systems. According to the report, released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Uruguay all have animal identification/traceability programs in place.
The study – “Economic Assessment of Evolving Red Meat Export Market Access Requirements for Traceability of Livestock and Meat” – notes that competing beef exporting nations are using their industries’ mandatory traceability systems as marketing tools to enhance their sales and as a point of differentiation with the U.S. industry.
While market access and producer profitability have been important factors in exporting countries’ decisions to establish traceability systems, the report concludes that animal health management and food safety are the primary drivers behind most countries’ decisions to build animal ID and traceability into the regulatory frameworks for their livestock industries. Improved supply chain coordination and enhanced producer management opportunities are secondary motivators.
For more from this report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation including a link to the full report and fact sheets, CLICK HERE.
Source: NAFB News
Posted by Haylie Shipp
