Brazilian veterinary department. Ferreira noted that the World Renderers Organization’s code of practice is helping to educate government regulators on the various aspects of rendering. NRA’s regional directors gave a snapshot of other global areas, beginning with German Davalos who said that Mexico’s feed production has held steady the past two years despite an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the second half of 2012 in commercial egg layers and at the beginning of 2013 in breeding hens. The 2012 outbreak was the most expensive at $750 million and a loss of 22 million layers. The country’s shrimp industry has also taken a hit this year from early mortality syndrome that first appeared in China. Production is expected to drop by 60 percent in 2013, which has led to a significant decline in aquafeed production. Pet food demand in Mexico is increasing, but the country’s government is undergoing fiscal reform and pushing for a 16 percent tax on pet food. Davalos reported that half of Mexico’s households have at least one pet, but 64 percent of those are low income who go to the market and buy two to three pounds a week, not large bags. Regional director Peng Li focused on Asia, where China has also suffered an outbreak of avian influenza leading to a 12 percent drop in feed production. US market access to the country for rendered products has been troublesome at times, but Li is working at educating feed companies and government entities on the safety of US products by bringing delegations to the states for plant tours and hosting seminars in China. Li announced that Malaysia is a new destination for meat and bone meal and the Indonesian market has reopened to meat and bone meal after being closed since April 2012. Consultant Bruce Ross focused on Europe, where the feed ban is being relaxed due to a significant drop in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases. Out of 6.3 million tests conducted in 2012 in European Union countries, only 28 animals tested positive for BSE, 19 of those in cattle over 12 years of age. Another reason for the relaxation is the region needs proteins for feed. Ross stated that at the recent Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) conference it was made clear that “current fish meal stocks cannot support the growing aquaculture industry and it is unlikely that new sources of fish meal will be discovered.” Ross next addressed the “horrific” amount of food waste, which is estimated to be about 1.3 billion MT per year globally. In developing countries, over 40 percent of losses occur at the post-harvest and processing stages, while in industrialized countries, more than 40 percent of losses occur at the retail and consumer levels. Europe sees nearly 90 million MT of food waste per year, excluding agricultural food waste and fish discards. European regulatory agencies are examining how to address this mounting problem. Kent Swisher, NRA International Programs, recapped the international scene, explaining that there was lots of talk about sustainability by the soybean industry at the recent GAA conference. Yet, a chart showing the carbon footprint of various oils and fats indicated rendered products reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than any other fat or oil, a message that needs to get out. Swisher also warned that the new game in sustainability is certification. NRA’s next annual convention will be held October 21-24, 2014, in Rancho Mirage, CA. R FPRF Focuses on Emerging Issues The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF) continues to focus on research that more directly addresses the highest priority areas for renderers. Significant advances have been made at the Animal Co-Products Research and Education Center (ACREC) during its 10 years of existence at Clemson University, and pioneering work at Kansas State University’s (KSU’s) new Pet Food Program also shows promise to help solve problems with and for major customer groups. To update its members on these activities, FPRF held its membership and board of directors meetings along with an emerging issues seminar in late October that covered quite an array of information. Dr. David Meeker, FPRF director of research, explained that the Poultry Protein and Fat Council of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association has co-funded many successful projects over the years with FPRF and the foundation is looking to work closer with other meat groups on research. Meeker then introduced Dr. David Meisinger who is working with ACREC on commercializing some of the completed research projects, beginning with Dr. Andrew Hurley’s successful renderable polymer waste bin liners (see “ACREC Solutions” Continued on page 15 Dr. David Meisinger is eager to commercialize some of the successful ACREC research projects. www.rendermagazine.com Render December 2013 13
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