Research and Development

Strategic Objective Continuing productivity gains through ensuring industry-good funding of research, development and technology transfer

This objective relates to research, development, productivity and innovation initiatives including:
-  Priorities
-  Policies
-  Market options for rendered and other byproducts

Issues

Productivity gains throughout the value chain are essential for the industry to remain competitive in terms of costs and quality and have facilitated a fundamental shift in the nature of the industry's output over the past 15 years.  This is most clearly evident when one looks at the volume of production exported in carcass form, which declined from 48% in 1990 to just 3.8% in 2004.  Improving the level of support given to research and development is also a meaningful way to assist in improving labour productivity in the sector.  

The meat industry has a history of innovation, which continues today in three primary areas; productivity enhancements, preservation and extension of shelf life, and product form and presentation.  This record could be further accelerated by increased application of resources to research and development and ensuring that tax structures encourage research and development.

The meat industry's record of innovation has been of a high and constant level, but could be further accelerated by increased application of resources and ensuring that sufficient investment is made in research, development and technology transfer to enhance the production and processing competitiveness of the industry.  Increased investment in technologies and other means of preventing counterfeiting is required to ensure that the 'NZ Inc' brand is protected.

Issues such as animal welfare, eco-labelling, 'food-miles', Johnes disease et al, may result in trade or market access barriers.  Fact-sheets concisely summarising the available evidence are generally not available to be drawn on to counter unbalanced reporting or allegations.

The commercial viability of rendering operations and products is increasingly at risk as market access options and returns reduce, biosecurity concerns drive changes to processing requirements, energy costs rise, and environmental considerations impact on operations.  If traditional markets for meals and tallow products close or markets returns threaten profitability, bio-diesel, extraction of essential amino acids, or energy production may offer longer term prospects.

Key Priorities for 2007/2008

In conjunction with MIRINZ Inc, identify industry-good reseach and development gaps by completing the red meat industry food safety and health and safety gap analysis project; determining the priority research areas required and how those should be undertaken and funded.  Advise government agencies funding industry-good programmes of research priorities.

Ensure that funding for identified research priorities for the Government's Industry Good Science Fund and other revenue sources meets the industry's needs, including through identifying what government funding is specifically available for research and development in the meat processing sector and how to access it.

Organise a R&D workshop where research providers can update meat processors, marketers and exporters on the latest R&D initiatives.

Commission or prepare background papers on:
-  initiatives that might materially contribute to further improving labour productivity in the meat industry; and
- innovation in the meat industry to stimulate thinking on areas where transformational change might be practicable