South African meat wholesalers are only as good as the bodies that regulate the industry. The Red Meat Industry Forum (RMIF) of South Africa is such a body, consisting of 12 different organisations and associations all active in the red meat industry. Officially constituted in 1997, its policy decisions ensure a well-run trade that all players, including meat wholesalers South Africa, can benefit from. In 2005 the RMIF recognised the importance of allocating funds towards Research and Development and over time the Red Meat Research and Development South Africa (RMRD SA) was formed.
The aim of the Red Meat Industry is to provide quality red meat products that are affordable, aligned with consumer preferences and international standards, and that minimise environmental impact. The RMRD SA co-ordinate and fund research projects which facilitate this aim.
The research areas they focus on include:
Sustainable Natural Resource where the aim is to develop better ways of producing animal products that protect not only consumers and animal welfare, but the environment as well. The subcategories to this research area are: forage resources and management; veld monitoring and management; pastoral risk management and decision support systems; a systems approach to livestock production; herd management; environmental protection; and restoring the value of grasslands and rangelands.
Livestock Production with Global Competiveness where research integrates elements of nutrition, genetics, reproduction, physiology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, production systems and environment interaction. Maximising these areas leads to product and process efficiency, greater sustainability and less impact on the environment, all of which ultimately allows South African meat wholesalers to provide high-quality and affordable red meat products.
Animal Health and Welfare where the aim is to optimise animal health by constantly addressing disease – its causes, contributing factors, diagnosis and treatment. Sustainability and profit are both by-products of maintaining and maximising healthy livestock. This is also true for animal welfare, an ethical and essential component of any farming system.
The Economics of Red Meat where research focuses on consumption and production in South Africa across urban and rural levels. The diet of the emerging middle class is constantly incorporating more protein sources, which means the red meat industry is well positioned for further growth. By utilising farming systems in rural communities, not only does it facilitate an increase in product, but it also uplifts livestock farmers through income generation and infrastructure. Research in this area would assist in identifying and developing sustainable models so that the various sectors all benefit from a growing economy.
Research and Development plays an important role in optimising the red meat industry, both from the producer and consumer’s point of view – ensuring we maximise process efficiency, food safety and sustainability allows all sectors in the industry, including meat wholesalers South Africa, to provide the best-quality end product, so call N1 today.
