WORLD RENDERERS ORGANIZATION INTERIM MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Rancho Mirage, California
Tm Juzefowicz, Vice President- Presiding
Vice President Juzefowicz welcomed everyone to the WRO interim meeting and to the NRA annual convention. He explained that Stephen Woodgate was unable to attend the meeting and therefore he will chair the meeting.
Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of the previous WRO annual meeting on June 5, 2014, Stockholm, Sweden, were reviewed. Dave Kaluzny moved approval of the minutes. Niels Nielsen seconded the motion. Motion was approved.
President’s Report
Vice President Juzefowicz presented the following report on behalf of the President Stephen Woodgate:
Membership
I am very pleased to report on the record number of members that have either re-joined or joined WRO during the last 12 months. Thanks to the many members who have made this happen. Secondly, I would like to say that the new membership category of Allied Supporting Member is working well, particularly in the way that some of these members are networking with each other and also by the way that they are acting as “membership ambassadors” for WRO! Thanks to them.
Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP)
Existing WRO’s Science Advisory Panel (SAP) members, David Meeker from NRA and Martin Alm from EFPRA, have now been enhanced by the new membership of Shane Leath from NZ and Lucas Cypriano from Brazil. I am sure that they will all be keen to develop the ideas proposed by the SAP mandate that you will discuss today and other new initiatives that come up.
Publicity
The positive feedback from members about both the WROutlook newsletter and the WRO website has been very welcoming. I am sure that is helping WRO to ‘spread the word’ and gain more credibility and hopefully members in the longer term. We have also produced an Aquaculture Information ‘flyer’ for GOAL and a new membership ‘flyer,’ so please give it to prospective new members or contacts, and help us to spread the WRO ‘word.’
Finally, I wanted to highlight the contribution of Nancy, who in her first few months of office, got to grips with the workings of WRO and has since moved on to give us, the Presidency team, so much positive support. Hopefully, I will see many of you in June 2015 in Cracow, Poland.”
Financial Report
Juzefowicz presented the WRO financial statement as of September 30, 2014. A copy of the financial statement is attached.
Carryover balance 30 September 2014 $7992.33
Revenue 2014 Dues $32,000.00
Total Expenses $13,520.99
Balance on hand 30 September 2014 $26,471.34
Nancy Foster described financial control procedures in place and reported WRO finances are audited each year as part of the annual audit of the National Renderers Association. Graham Shortland moved approval of the WRO FY 2013 financial statement. Fernando Mendizabal seconded the motion. Motion was approved.
WRO Membership Update
Haarslev, Keith Engineering and Olymspan have joined as Allied Supporting Members, WRO’s newest membership category. A Japanese firm contacted Juzefowicz about joining the WRO at the recommendation of Haarslev. A South Korean company has also expressed interest in becoming a member. Mendizabal said a Chinese member of WRO has requested information about how to establish a rendering plant. The Chinese government is encouraging development of small rendering plants.
The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) held its annual Aquaculture Leadership conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Dr. Richard Smullens, Group Technical and R&D Manager Ridley of Ridley Aqua-Feed, Australia, represented the WRO. Dr. Smullens will provide a report on the meeting that will be sent to WRO members. Juzefowicz reported that Dr. Smullens’ presentation was well received. Lucas Cypriano requested a copy and it will be provided to WRO members.
Communications and Promotion Activities
WROutlook Newsletter & Render Magazine: Juzefowicz reported the WROutlook newsletter is being issued regularly and WRO now has a regular featured column in Render Magazine. He noted the outstanding graphics and design of the WRO newsletter and website, and expressed since thanks to Alastair Woodgate for his outstanding work on both.
Juzefowicz said his goal is to include more science in WRO communications to increase member knowledge about rendering.
The September edition of the WROutlook newsletter was sent to allied organizations, such as the Animal Agriculture Alliance, Oils & Fats International, the International Feed Industry Federation and several others. The goal is to provide it to those involved in partner industries to convey WRO information beyond the rendering sector.
Twitter: Mendizabal suggested using Twitter to provide new and timely information WRO members and allied industry representatives. Tweets are more often read than email or websites, he said. WRO members discussed this concept and expressed interest in carefully managing any information sent via Twitter.
WRO Scientific Advisory Panel
Legislation Mapping: Juzefowicz presented a proposal developed by Lucas Cypriano to compile regulations, legislation and guidance from various countries so it would be available to the governments of Brazil and other nations wishing to oversee BSE activities related to rendering. The value of assembling this information was discussed. Dave Kaluzny recommended following OIE guidelines instead. Dr. Martin Alm agreed to be the project coordinator and will prepare a formal WRO document stating that OIE guidelines are the internationally recognized and accepted scientific standard relating to BSE classification and management.
Contamination Reduction and Management: Juzefowicz described the problem of contamination in rendering raw material and noted that a solution must be found. He proposed developing a WRO Code of Practice for contamination reduction as a benchmark for all members.
Members present agreed with Dr. David Meeker’s recommendation that WRO use the term “foreign material” rather than “contaminant.”
Juzefowicz asked the SAP to develop a plan to address this problem. Cypriano agreed to serve as project coordinator, with involvement by the rest of the SAP as well as Dave Kaluzny, Andy Bennett and Graham Shortland who also volunteered to work on this project. Meeker suggested an educational tool may be useful for suppliers.
Future Events
None were discussed.
Future Meetings
Annual Meeting: EFPRA, June 3 – 6, 2015, Cracow, Poland
Interim Meeting: ARA, July 21 – 24, 2015, Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
Interim Meeting: NRA, October 19 – 23, 2015, Laguna Niguel, California
Old/New Business
Andy Bennett reported the Mongolians would like assistance setting up a rendering industry. Juzefowicz said that Stephen Woodgate provided information but has had no response.
Bennett also suggested that developed WRO nations sponsor developing countries to become a WRO member. Discussion occurred about the definition of “developing country.” It was noted the WTO or the United Nations may have a suitable definition. Juzefowicz said the WRO would look into this.
Members agreed that two subcategories should be added to the “Dues” line of the WRO financial statement. The subcategories are for 1) WRO Members and 2) Allied Supporting Members.
Juzefowicz presented Dave Kaluzny with a plaque in recognition for his service as WRO president from 2011 to 2013.
The meeting was adjourned.
