US grassroots group of farmers calls for tighter meatpacking rules

A U.S. grassroots group of farmers and ranchers is asking for more government oversight of poultry and beef companies, claiming that corporate monopolies are unfairly squeezing independent producers.
The group is standing behind a new rule being worked on by the Agriculture Department's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). The rule is aimed at promoting fairness in the marketing of poultry and livestock. Supporters said unfair and anti-competitive actions by larger, corporate meat companies are hurting producers while boosting profits for meat packers. "All we want is a fair deal for the farmers...to be fair and competitive," said Organization for Competitive Markets Executive Director Fred Stokes. "The answer is enforcement of our antitrust laws. Right now the market is rigged."
Detractors of the new rule said the new regulations will be costly and burdensome to business. "This would take money out of the pockets of our most progressive, most efficient producers and put it in the pockets of the least progressive growers," said Tyson CEO Donnie Smith. "It doesn't seem to me that is fair. We just think that what this rule would do is, it is going to add more regulation and more cost without adding any more value."
The rule was published by GIPSA in June and a comment period runs until November 22, 2010.

Smart packaging verifies freshness of meats and poultry

The University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom is seeking partners for commercialization of a new smart packaging nanotechnology that enables workers throughout the meat supply chain to verify freshness.
Professor Thomas Nann, a chemist and nanoscience expert at the University of East Anglia, developed the new technology to be highly sensitive to biogenic amines, which are produced by the bacterial decay of meat and fish. Using new nanoparticle technology, the freshness sensor can be incorporated into packaging with no outward signs of its presence. Workers can check the freshness of the meat by shining a UV light, such as a barcode scanner, on the package. Luminescent color then reveals the state of freshness or decay of the product.
Market research shows that food retailers want a controlled testing process that displays no evidence of deterioration to customers, but still allows unsatisfactory products to be removed before they reach customers, according to University of East Anglia researchers. Sensor technologies currently on the market show visible color change in response to decay.
A priority patent application has been filed in the United Kingdom, with the intention to file for international patents. Businesses interested in licensing the technology or jointly developing new packaging solutions may contact the university’s business development office.

Convenience trend to grow US packaging industry

The packing industry for meat, poultry and seafood in the U.S. will grow to $9 billion by 2013, acccording to an industry study by The Freedonia Group. The report, "Meat, Poultry and Seafood Packaging," attributed the projected growth to an expansion in meat, poultry and seafood production and a change in the way the products are packaged.
Changes in packing practices are expected to reflect a shift from rigid packaging to flexible or case-ready packaging making the food items available in smaller, convenient sizes.
The report pointed out that poultry would achieve better sales than beef due to its lower cost, "favorable nutritional profile and versatility." A growth in sales of ready-to-eat products will also boost performance.
Fresh, frozen, and processed meat, poultry and seafood items are expected to command a greater share of the market than the ready-to-eat products in the same segment. A modest increase in fresh and frozen meat, poultry and sea food items is expected, from $4.49 billion in 2008 to $5.33 billion in 2013.