PRESIDENTS MID-YEAR REPORT 1999/2000
Gary G. Pearl, D.V.M.

The Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF) via its actions and reactions has responded to the research and technical wants and needs of its membership. Its core directives have identified several proactive but sustaining priorities that include:

·        The safety and public image of rendered products must be established on sound science.

·        The assurance that the industries products will not compromise human or animal health.

·        The nutritional integrity, competence and value of its ingredients must be verified modernity.

·        The exploration for new use applications and utilization must comprise at least 75% of its resources.

·        The selection of research projects must be based on risk analysis, proactive, scientifically developed hypotheses and protocols.

·        FPRF initiatives must be coordinated with all possible positive alliances.

Thus the activities for the first six months of FPRF fiscal year have been directed to these priorities. A format for structural change, expediency of intrinsic assignments consistent with majority consensus and the implementation of validating biosecurity and image focused research all reflect change. Research summaries of progress and final reports account to twenty nine (29). Projects currently in progress have a future commitment of $202,780 of which 54.1% are of non-nutritional specific objectives. Twenty-Six percent (26%) of the nutritional related projects involve aquaculture. FPRF has participated in the Aquaculture Committees of AVMA, AFIA and Aquaculture 2000 while giving presentations to 12 associated aquaculture groups.

A major DAF/Sludge/Biosolids survey has been completed, summarized and hopefully will assist in directing further activities and plans. A plan to assess malodors and processes has been distributed. Draft protocols have been developed to pursue viral inactivation research via rendering processes.

Biodiesel feedstock “uncoupling” initiatives have resulted in extensive maintenance activities to highlight a environmentally proper, renewable/recyclable, quality biofuel based on universally accepted minimum ASTM standards. Patent applications are proceeding for the “Mode of Action and Functionability” as obtained via animal protein soil amendments. The validation of the effectiveness of the rendering process in inactivating food borne pathogens is well under way. Likewise the definition of Thermal Death Times for these pathogens in a variety of raw material is nearing completion. Additionally a project is in progress to evaluate test procedures for identifying product bacterial contamination as alternatives to culturing.

All of these changes and initiatives have been accomplished with a repressed budget and an optimistic year end projection.

Six Month Financial Review and Year End Projections

A copy of the financial report ending March 31, 2000 and representing FPRF’s first six months of its fiscal year and projections for year-end is attached to this report.

·        Contributions based on monies received and pledged are now approximately equal to the established annual budget. There are however 21 members that contributed a total of $21,450 in fiscal 98/99 that have not contributed or pledged in fiscal 99/00. The successful achievement of their membership coupled with several promising new memberships could result in a positive income from contributions. Interest income is projected to be approximately $6,000 favorable to budget.

·        Administrative and General Expenses are projected to be at least $20,000 below budget. All line item expenditures with the exceptions of audit and telephone are projected to be below budget.

·        Research expenses for currently initiated projects are projected to total $165,931 for this fiscal year with an additional $37,049 in subsequent years. Accepting these assumptions the foundation would end this fiscal year at virtually break even.

The 99/00 budget was prepared on the basis of utilizing assets totaling $84,269. Thus new project approval could consist of approximately $80,000 in 99/00 commitments and concur with the established budget.

Major Challenges

-         Alleged Alternatives to Rendering

-          Biosecurity and Social Issues associated with food safety and image.

-         Environmental Influences and Regulation

-         Enhanced Competition from all proteins and fats (Nutritional, Non-Nutritional and   Alternative Uses) Soy New Use Research 1999 - 5.9 M, 1998 - 6.1M

Continuing Challenges

-         Acquiring membership participation

-         New Members – 4

-         Website and E-Mail- Since January 250 request response for specific information received.

The trend towards the need to be more responsive, responsible and proactive will exacerbate for the membership and the organizations serving it. The mission of FPRF is rather simplistic: to provide the research initiatives to meet the wants and needs of its membership while managing the fiscal responsibilities to accomplish those research objectives. Interactive membership involvement to identify and prioritize objectives will continue to be the lifeline to continue the success of the FPRF organization and the global respect its research program commands.